Homyo is given to Buddhist priests in Tokudo-shiki (or the ordination rites) held in the head temple and for follower in Okamisori (a Buddhist ceremony which is to confirm a follower as a certain level of religious steps) held in the head or branch temple by hoshu (high priest) (by '門主' for Jodo Shinshu Hongan-ji school, by '門首' for Shinshu sect Otani school).
僧侶は、本山で行われる得度式において、門徒は、本山・別院などで行われる帰敬式（ききょうしき〈「おかみそり」とも〉）において、法主（浄土真宗本願寺派は、「門主」・真宗大谷派は「門首」）より授かる。