He received denpo-kanjo (the consecration for the Transmission of the Dharma) from Gennin of Nanchiin of To-ji Temple at the age of 53, was given the position of Ajari (a master in Esoteric Buddhism; a high priest) to became the head of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism succeeding Kukai at the age of 56.
53歳で東寺南池院源仁から伝法灌頂を受け、56歳で阿闍梨位を得て、空海以来の真言密教正嫡となる。