The following year (1532), he mobilized his followers to subvert Motonaga Miyoshi at the request of Harumoto HOSOKAWA, who held the post of Kanrei (shogunal deputy); however, in fear of the power held by Hongan-ji Temple, Harumoto attacked and burned down Yamashina Hongan-ji Temple, which was home to the Hongan-ji Temple school at that time, in cooperation with the Nichiren sect groups and Sadayori ROKKAKU (this incident is known as the Tenbun-hokke Riot).
翌1532年年には、管領細川晴元の要請を受けて門徒を動員し、三好元長を敗死に追いやったが、晴元はこれによってかえって本願寺の実力を恐れ、京都の日蓮宗教団や六角定頼と手を結んで、当時の本願寺の本拠地であった山科本願寺を攻撃し、これを焼き討ちにした（天文法華の乱）。