Kokei attained the Buddhist rank as hokkyo (the third highest rank for Buddhist priests) in 1177, in consideration of building the five-story pagoda of Rengeoin Temple for Emperor Goshirakawa.
康慶は後白河天皇の蓮華王院五重塔の造仏の功をもって、治承元年（1177年）、法橋の僧位を得た。