He entered the Buddhist priesthood aged seven years when he studied under Monkyo of Daiun-ji Temple in Iwakura, Kyoto before receiving the knowledge of Taimitsu (esoteric Buddhism of the Tendai Sect) from Goen, Gyoen and Myoson.
7歳で出家し、はじめ京都岩倉大雲寺(京都市)の文慶（もんきょう）に師事し、その後悟円・行円・明尊から台密（天台宗における密教）の法を受けた。