Jungnimsa (Cheongdo)

About this place

Cheongdo Jungnimsa is a temple belonging to Donghwasa, the head temple of the 9th diocese of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Jungnimsa was founded in 610 (the 32nd year of King Jinpyeong of Silla) by the great monk Beopjeong under the name Hwanamsa. After founding the temple, Beopjeong received an order from Queen Seondeok and crossed over to Japan as an envoy of goodwill, returning with many achievements. In return for his labors, the queen bestowed by royal command about 900-odd gyeol of land beside Hwanamsa; the bamboo planted at that time grew luxuriantly and is said to be the origin of the name Jungnimsa (bamboo-grove temple). In the Goryeo period, National Preceptor Bojo Jinul rebuilt it. In the Joseon period, it is said that the great monk Muhak reconstructed it during the reign of King Taejo. Later, in 1592, the Imjin War broke out, and the Daeungjeon (Main Hall) and Myeongbujeon were destroyed by the fires of war, leaving only the Bogwangjeon; after the war the Indeokdang was newly built. More recently, the Sallyeonggak and the monks' quarters Gyeoneuldang were built in 1992, and the Daeungjeon was newly constructed in 1993.