Having listened to the lecture given by Eison, who was invited to his home, Shinku became a disciple of Eison at the age of 12 and entered the priesthood at Saidai-ji Temple (Nara City).
12歳の時、自宅に招かれた叡尊の講話を聴いてその門人となり、西大寺_(奈良市)で出家する。