The eighth-generation head priest, Unku, bestowed commandments to Emperor Gokogon and was granted the two characters of 金 (kon) and 戒 (kai); thus the temple came to be called Konkai Komyo-ji Temple.
第8世運空は後光厳天皇に戒を授けて、金戒の二字を賜り、金戒光明寺と呼ぶようになった。