He was assigned later as Ukone no shosho (Minor Captain of the Right Division of Inner Palace Guards) ("Sonpi Bunmyaku" (a text compiled in the fourteenth century that records the lineages of the aristocracy)) but underwent shukke (become the Buddhist monk), following the example of his older brother, MINAMOTO no Tokimichi in the same year ("Shui Ojo-den"(Gleaning passing on to the next life (dying)) of MIYOSHI no Tameyasu stated that he underwent shukke when he was 19 years old during the Tengen period (978 - 983), but while the age seems suitable, the time period is wrong).
その後、右近衛少将に任じられた（『尊卑分脈』）が、天延元年（987年）頃、同年に出家した兄の源時通の後を追うかのように出家した（三善為康の『拾遺往生伝』には天元(日本)年間に19歳で出家と記すが、年齢はともかく年代は誤りである）。