The leaders of kakushi nenbutsu, including Zenran, are called "zen chishiki" (kalyaana-mitra, a Sanskrit word which means a person who offers spiritual friendship and guidance), and they can read "Gosho" (secret books) and hold the rituals of kakushi nenbutsu.
善鸞などの隠し念仏の善知識と呼ばれる指導者は、『御書』をよむことができ、儀式を執り行う。