Hwaom-sa Temple's name is taken directly from that of one of the most influential texts in the history of Korean Buddhism: the Avatamsaka Sutra.

The underlying theme of the text is the universal oneness of all things.

Built on the slopes of striking Mt. Chiri-san, Hwaom-sa Temple is one of Korea's most beautiful places. Records state that the site was between the kingdoms of Shilla and Paekje and that it was first selected by Master Yon-gi in 554 in the reign of King Chinhung (r. 540-576). Master Uisang expanded the temple in 634 when he introduced the Avatamsa philosophy. The temple was destroyed by the Hideyoshi Invasion and rebuilt by Master Pyogam in 1630 under King Injo (r. 1623-1649).

The temple follows the one Main Hall-twin pagoda pattern on a north-south axis of the Unified Shilla Period. In this plan, two pagodas were built in front of one Main Hall in the main courtyard. In Hwaom-sa, the eastern pagoda, Treasure No. 132, is an unadorned five-story pagoda and the western, Treasure No. 133 is a richly decorated double-pedestaled pagoda which is ornamented with the eight divine generals, four guardians and the zodiac animals. The pagodas are respectively Treasures 132 and 133.

The Main Hall was built in 1630 and is an important example of middle Choson period architecture; it is Treasure No. 299. The central statue is of Vairocana, the Cosmic Buddha on the right of which is Sakyamuni and on the left is Rochana.