Overview
Cheonchuksa Temple is a traditional temple directly under the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, with a history of over 1,300 years (Nowon No. 9-1). In 673 AD during the Unified Silla period (the 13th year of King Munmu), Monk Ui founded the temple, and the water was so clear that it was called Okcheonam. During the Goryeo period, the Indian monk Jigong told Naong Hwasang, "The scenery here resembles Yeongchuk Mountain in the Cheonchuk Kingdom (present-day India)." It is said that this was the case. Later, in 1398, King Taejo Yi Seong-gye held a 100-day prayer at Okcheonam and founded Joseon. In the seventh year of Taejo's reign, the temple was rebuilt, and the plaque 'Cheonchuksa' was issued using the name Chuk (竺) for the heavenly heavens and the country Chuk (竺). It means 'a peaceful place where the Buddha always resides.' Cheonchuksa was directly involved by the royal family, rebuilt in 1474 by royal order in the 5th year of King Seongjong's reign, and during King Myeongjong's reign, Queen Munjeong bestowed a painting statue (No. 366, kept in the Buddhist Central Museum's storage) and used it as a Buddhist altar. It was rebuilt by Gyeonghak in 1812 and the 12th year of King Sunjo's reign, restored in 1959, and has since been rebuilt several times, maintaining its current appearance. Cheonchuksa Temple is a fundamental temple that has continued the tradition of pure practice since renovating Korea's first Mumun Hall in 1964.