Cheongamsa (Gimcheon)

About this place

Cheongamsa is located on Mount Buryeongsan and is a branch temple of Jikjisa, the head temple of the 8th diocese of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It is an ancient temple built by State Preceptor Doseon in the 3rd year of King Heonan of Silla (859). According to historical records, it was completely destroyed by fire in the 25th year of King Injo of Joseon (1647), but upon hearing this news, the monk Byeogam Gakseong had the monk Heojeong Hyewon rebuild it, and Hyewon devoted himself wholeheartedly to reconstructing Cheongamsa. Later, when Queen Inhyeon, the legitimate consort of King Sukjong, was demoted to commoner status, she offered a special prayer at the Geungnakjeon Hall of Cheongamsa, and through this connection the temple formed a close relationship with the royal court. The red pine forest of Mount Buryeongsan was designated as a state-protected forest, weapons and other items were bestowed from the palace, and the temple is famous as a place where court ladies practiced their faith until the end of the Joseon Dynasty.