In 778, Kenshin (later Enchin), a Buddhist monk of Kofuku-ji Temple in Yamato Province, who had engaged in ascetic practices at Kojima-dera Temple, went north after he received a message from a dream, reaching Mt. Higashi in Yasaka-kyo, Otagi County, Yamashiro Province, now Mt. Otowa, the area where Kiyomizu-dera Temple is situated.
宝亀9年（778年）、大和国興福寺の僧で子嶋寺で修行していた賢心（後に延鎮と改名）は、夢のお告げで北へ向かい、山城国愛宕郡八坂郷の東山、今の清水寺の地である音羽山に至った。