In the Soto Sect at that time, other than Hoto (the lineage of sect) that was inherited from a mentor priest to a disciple by means of menju (face to face transmission) (nin-po), there was also another Hoto that was inherited by means of succeeding the position of chief priest of a temple (garan-ho), and under such circumstances, there were a variety of abuses resulting from such confusion.
当時の曹洞宗では師僧から弟子に面授される法統（人法）の他に、寺院の住職を継ぐことによって伝えられる法統（伽藍法）があるとされ、両者の混乱から様々な弊害を生じていた。