Bongjeongsa Temple was founded in the 12th year of King Munmu of Silla (672 CE) by Monk Neungin, a disciple of the Buddhist Master Uisang. Cheondeungsan Mountain was once known as Daemangsan. As a young monk, Neungin practiced asceticism deep within a rocky cave on the mountain. One day, a celestial maiden, awed by the intensity of his spiritual devotion, descended from the heavens and illuminated the cave with a radiant lantern. From that moment, the mountain came to be called Cheondeungsan, or “Heavenly Lantern Mountain,” and the cave was named Cheondeunggul, the “Heavenly Lantern Cave.” Later, as he continued his practice, Monk Neungin folded a paper phoenix and sent it flying with his spiritual power. The phoenix came to rest at this location, where he then founded a temple. From this, the name Bongjeongsa was formed, combining bong (鳳, phoenix) and jeong (停, to stay). The temple has since undergone six renovations and is home to numerous cultural treasures, including Geungnakjeon Hall (National Treasure No. 15), Daeungjeon Hall (National Treasure No. 311), Hwaeom Lecture Hall (Treasure No. 448), Gogeumdang Hall (Treasure No. 449), Deokhwiru Pavilion, Muryanghaehoe, Samsunggak Shrine, a three-story stone pagoda, and affiliated hermitages such as Yeongsanam, Jijoam, and Jungam. It is especially renowned as a temple visited by King Taejo and King Gongmin of the Goryeo Dynasty.

Located within Bongjeongsa Temple, the Seongbogwan is a sacred treasure exhibition hall constructed in reinforced concrete with traditional Korean tiled roofing. It includes general storage for relics, a vault for rear altar murals, and an exhibition room. The hall preserves 174 artifacts across 25 categories owned by the temple, along with rear altar murals and wall paintings carefully saved during the restoration of Geungnakjeon and Daeungjeon Halls. Many of these rare and meaningful pieces are now on display for visitors to explore.