He went on a pilgrimage to various provinces, in which he visited Motsugai of Kozen-ji Temple in Utsunomiya City and Nanze of Sanyu-ji Temple in Ako City, Harima Province, and studied under Keiyo YOZAN of Shotaku-in Temple of Myoshin-ji Temple before being given the go (Buddhist title) of Gudo and inka (certification of spiritual achievement) (on three later occasions he served Myoshin-ji Temple as Juji (head priest)).
19歳で諸国へ旅に出て宇都宮市興禅寺(宇都宮市)の物外や播磨国赤穂市三友寺の南是の元などを訪れた後、妙心寺聖沢院の庸山景庸に師事し、愚堂の号を与えられて印可を受けた（後に妙心寺住持を三度勤めた）。