National monk Hyeso, Jeonghyon Lee, was born in Ansung and studied under Chonghoi in Gwangyosa temple at the age of 10 and earned his Buddhist degree at 17 from Yuongtongsa temple. He became a national monk at 28 at the king's appointment and established Aran pogoda at Mt. Chilhyun and named it Hongjekwan.
The monk passed away at the age of 83 in 1054. Following his death, a temple was built in 1308, in King Chungyeol's 34th year of rule, to honor the monk's achievement and the temple was called as Chiljangsa temple to honor Hyeso's good work that he converted seven infamously depraved men. The historical relic was relocated from Gaecheonsa temple, Chungju, to its present location in 1383, King Woo's 9th year in power, during the Japanese' invasion.
It was then restored in 1495, King Yeonsan's 1st year in power, after having been burned 200 years after the temple's construction. The building was renovated and repainted in 1674, King Hyunjong's 15th year. It was relocated and enlarged in 1704, King Sookjong's 30th year of reign, and again from 1725 in King Youngjo's 1st, 2nd, and 27th years and then from 1877 in King Gojong's 14th and 15th years. The temple complex consists of twelve buildings including the Taeungjon Hall, the Gate of the Four Guardians, Wontongmun Gate, Myungbujon Hall and Nahanjon Hall.