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Hwagyesa Temple was founded by Seonsa (Seon master) Sinwol in 1522 (17th year of King Jungjong's reign). Originally, Daesa (a high Buddhist priest) Beopin, or Tanmun, built a hermitage called Bodeokam near the site of Hwagyesa Temple, preserving long-standingBuddhist tradition. Later on, Seonsa Sinwol would move the hermitage to the current location and rename it Hwagyesa. During the Joseon Period, the royal family frequented the temple and Regent Heungseon Daewongun supported the temple during the latteryears of Joseon.

A cradle of the enlightenment movement, Hwagyesa Temple produced a number of figures who embroiders the modern history of Korea, including Mubul and Cha Hong-sik, and is also known to have served as a place for monks who participated in the Gapsin Revolutionto prepare for the enlightenment movement.

Hwagyesa Temple is a historic venue where the Korean Language Society organized a stay of nine Korean language scholars, including Lee Hui-seung and Choe Hyeon-bae, wherein they completed the Unified Korean Orthography in 1933. Recently, the temple becameinternationally known as being a center for worldwide propagation. In 1991, the Daejeokgwangjeon Hall was established and an international seonwoen (Seon monastery) was opened on the 4th floor to accommodate buddhists from other countries.

Programs
ㆍ Prayer/ceremonial offering to Buddhaㆍ Buddhist University/Citizens' Seonwoen (meditation practice)ㆍ Hwagyesa Templestay: A program to experience the temple's daily life, traditional culture of Korean Buddhism and spirit of practice while stayingin the temple