Donghwasa Temple was originally established as Yugasa Temple in 493 by Ven. Geukdal. According to the Donghwasa Temple Record Monument, erected in 1931, it was renamed by Patriarch Ven. Simji in 832. The name “Donghwa ” came from a legend that the Korean paulownia bloomed even in winter at that time so people regarded it as an auspicious sign. According to the Samgungnyusa, Vinaya Master Jinpyo gave some bones with sutras engraved on them to Ven. Yeongsim, who later gave them to Patriarch Simji. In trying to decide where to enshrine these bones, Patriarch Ven. Simji climbed a mountaintop, along with the two gods of Mt. Jungak, one of Silla's five sacred mountains, and threw them toward the west. The bones blew away in the wind and landed in a small well north of what is now Donghwasa Temple's Chamdang Hall. He constructed a lecture hall there and enshrined the bones within it, thereby establishing Donghwasa Temple. In 863, the three-story stone pagoda at Biroam Hermitage of Donghwasa Temple and the stoneVairocana Buddha were built by a decree of King Gyeongmun. Thus we know that the temple was already established there by the late 9th century. When Later Baekje attacked Silla, the 10,000 Goryeo soldiers, led by Wang Geon who responded to Silla's call for help, stayed at Donghwasa Temple and fought Later Baekje troops. However, Goryeo suffered a crushing defeat. In 1036, by royal decree of Goryeo's King Jeongjong, the temple was chosen for testing monks on sutras and Vinaya, along with Yeongtongsa Temple and Sungbeopsa Temple in Gaegyeong and Bu-insa Temple in Daegu. In 1190, National Preceptor Ven. Bojo stayed at Donghwasa Temple and oversaw a massive reconstruction. In 1298, in honor of the dying wish of National Preceptor Ven. Hongjin, the temple was reconstructed again. The temple was also reconstructed several times during the Joseon era; in 1606 Great Master Samyeong repaired the damage inflicted during the Japanese invasion, and again in 1677 and 1732 by monks like Sangsung, Gwanheo and Nakbin. Many of Donghwasa Temple's major Dharma halls, including the Main Buddha Hall, were constructed at these times. During the Japanese invasion, Great Master Samyeong resided at the temple and commanded a monk militia. The region on Mt. Palgongsan where Donghwasa Temple is located was previously the site of Seungsi, at which temples on nearby mountains bartered daily necessities. This traditional market was held from the Goryeo to the early Joseon era. The temple recently revived this tradition, and every October holds a “Seungsi Festival” which lasts one week.
Donghwasa Temple owns 14 items of state-designated cultural objects, 11 items of tangible cultural heritage designated by Daegu City, and 8 items of cultural heritage materials.
