Cheongryonsa was founded in 827 during the 2nd year of King Heungdeok’s reign of the Silla Kingdom. It was originally located on Mt.Jongnamsan, present-day Hawangsimni-dong, Seoul and called ‘Anjeongsa(安靜寺, 安定寺)’ which means ‘Temple to console people and strengthen the country.’

In 1395, the 4th year of King Taejo’s reign of the Joseon Dynasty, Anjeongsa was re-established by the king’s preceptor Master Muhak. Legend says that when a special prayer session for the completion of a project was held, a blue lotus flower bloomed with an auspicious light in the pond before the Main Hall. After this, the name of the temple was changed into Cheongryonsa, which means ‘Blue Lotus Temple.’

Cheongryonsa has been enlarged in many ways, including several reconstructions and the creation of carved wooden sutra tablets and Buddhist paintings. After the Korean War, which broke out in 1950, Ven. Deokbong brought the temple back to life and ordained and trained his disciples very zealously; all of these embellishments throughout the temple’s long history have added to its prestige. From the year 2000 on, the head monk, Master Baekwoo, who followed the lineage of National Preceptor Taego Bowu living at the end of Goryeo Dynasty, decided to revive the lineage of Korean Buddhism and Master Muhak’s legacy. He decided to move the temple and finally found a place of land at the foot of Mt. Gaemyeongsan, Jangheung-myon, Yangju. The construction of the new temple was terminated in 2010; this was the eighth re-establishment of this time-honored temple.

In April of the same year he founded Anjeong Buddhist College to teach his disciples and laypeople in general. And in June, he established the Beomeum Beompae Preservation Association to spread Buddhist songs and music. In February 2014, he changed name of Association to Cheongryonsa Yesusiwangsaengchiljae Preservation Association. Since then he has issued certificates to each person who finishes the course of Buddhist ritual and Yesujae.

He also made a vow to enshrine a genuine relic of Sakyamuni Buddha. Finally his prayer was answered and the former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa donated relics which had been preserved in the Mirisa Wetiya Stupa. Master Baekwoo built a three- story pagoda and enshrined the precious treasure. The temple became recognized as enshrining the Buddha’s relics and this enabled Cheongryonsa to increase its role of protecting the people and the country.

In order to preserve and transmit The Blue Lotus Temple (Cheongryonsa) to posterity The Millennial Temple Cheongryonsa Foundation was established and Ven. Sang-Jin took office as Chief Director.