The priests in those days were roughly classified into two groups, Gakuryo who learned Buddhism and implemented ascetic practices and Gyonin (priests who actually work) who worked for the office of the temple.
当時の僧侶は大別すると二種類に分けられ、仏法を学び修行する学侶（がくりょ）と寺の実務を取り行う行人(仏教)（ぎょうにん）があった。