The actual origin of this temple, located 8km (5 miles) north of Woljeongsa, is unknown. Legend has it that it was built either in 643 (the 12th year of Shilla Queen Seon-deok) or in the 680s (during the reign of Shilla King Sin-Mun). Whatever the case, it was rebuilt in 705, during the fourth year of the reign of King Seong-deok. It was undisturbed until a destructive fire burned through the place in 1946. Only the original bell pavilion (and one of only three bells from the Shilla Dynasty) remained -- the rest of the temple site was rebuilt in 1947. The oldest parts of the temple left today are the Dongjong (the bell), the Munsu Bosal (the child Buddha figure), and the Jungchang (written by seventh Joseon King Sejo).

Another legend involves King Sejo (again). He was visiting this temple, shortly after his encounter with the child Buddha, when he felt a cat tugging at his clothing. When he glanced down at the cat, he caught sight of a would-be assassin who was on the verge of making an attempt at his life and was able to stop the man. In gratitude, the king ordered a statue of a cat be made for the temple and ordered that no cats in Korea be killed from that point forward.