Because of his excellent talent, not only his master Shinen and his father Kanezane, but also Gaen who was the younger brother of MINAMOTO no Michichika (he was Kanezane's political enemy) had high expectations to Ryoen, and assumed the position of betto from Gaen at Kofuku-ji Temple in 1207.
その優れた才能故に師である信円や父である兼実のみならず、父の政敵であった源通親の弟である雅縁などからも将来を嘱望され、1207年（承元元年）に雅縁の跡を襲う形で興福寺別当職に就いた。