Bongwon-Temple was originally built on the site of today's Yonsei University(former Yonhi palace) by Great master Doseon(827-898 A.D.) in 889 A.D., 3rd year of Jinseong Queen, the 51st of Shilla Dynasty. And moved this place in 1748, 24th year of Yongjo the Great in Choseon Dynasty, by high monk Chanjeub and zen master Jeungam, with Buddhists and the help of the King's authority. The following year, Yongjo the Great bestowed a signboard inscribing "Bongwon-Temple", and Buddhist laymen called this temple "Saejeol(New-Temple)", since this was newly built then. and the present signboard on the Myongbujeon was autographed by Jeong Dojeon,a great confucianist in Choseon Dynasty.

Afterward, Jeongjo the Great had established Chilgyu-Jeongso, an institude for regulating monk's discipline and Promoting Buddhist society, on this temple. Later, Yi Dongin, the Pioneer monk of last century, stayed on this for five years. And he taught Kim Okgyun, the revolutionist for the enlightment of Korea.

Bongwon-Temple has come to grandeur step by step, owing to continuous reconstruction. And today's appearance was found in 1911 by Yi Bodam, the abbot of this temple. In DEC. of 1945, Kim Giwol and Kim Unpa and all the resident monks of this temple contributed to build a large scale of shrine, for the commemoration of Korea's Independence. But that was unfortunately destroyed during the Korean war. The signboard "Bongwonsa" written in chinese characters by Yongjo the Great, and remains of Yi Dongin and Kim Okgyun had burnt to ashes on that time. In 1966, the abbot of this temple named Choi Yungwol established the present Main Shrine on the former site.

As the head temple of Korean Buddhist Tae-Go Jong which is the authority sect of Korean Buddhism family, has many cultural traditions. So there reside Yi ManBong, Korean Human culture Assets NO. 48 in painting sect; and Park SongAm, No. 50 in Buddhism Song sect. Now Bongwon-Temple is doing great efforts for missoinary works and has many Buddhist Groups; containing Kwaneum Layman Association, Buddhist Young man Association, Buddhist student Association and Yongsan ritual ceremony (No 50 intangible cultural assets preservation party).