Cheongnyeonsa Temple (Yangju)

Cheongnyeonsa Temple was founded in 827 (the 2nd year of King Heungdeok of Silla) on Jongnamsan Mountain in Hawangsimni-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul. At the time of its founding, it was called 'Anjeongsa' (安靜寺 or 安定寺), meaning to pacify the people and strengthen the nation. In 1395 (the 4th year of King Taejo of Joseon), the royal preceptor Master Muhak resided here and reconstructed the temple. During the prayer ceremony for the reconstruction, blue lotuses bloomed in the pond in front of the main hall, emitting a radiant light. Seeing this, Master Muhak renamed the temple 'Cheongnyeonsa' (Blue Lotus Temple). After Master Muhak's reconstruction, Cheongnyeonsa underwent several building reconstructions, scripture woodblock carvings, and Buddhist paintings. Damaged during the Korean War, the temple was reorganized by Master Deokbong, who guided later disciples and fulfilled its role as a patriotic temple. In the early 2000s, the then-abbot Monk Baeku, a dharma descendant of National Preceptor Taego Bowoo from the late Goryeo period, decided to relocate the temple to continue the lineage of Korean Buddhism and carry on Master Muhak's legacy. After searching for a site, he chose the current location on Gaemyeongsan Mountain in Jangheung-myeon, Yangju-si. Completed in 2010, this marked the eighth reconstruction since its founding, establishing the Gaemyeongsan Cheongnyeonsa Temple complex. Address: 169 Gwonyul-ro, Jangheung-myeon, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do