He tried to rebuild Shingon sect, but naturally, higher and lower priest factions revolted against his hard-line measures and were bitterly confronted Kakuban, and finally in 1140, they went on a rampage to conduct a raid on Kakuban's living place, Mitsugonin Temple, in the precincts of Kongobuji Temple to burn it, and banished him from Kongobuji Temple.
真言宗の建て直しを図るが、この強硬策に当然に反発した上下の僧派閥は覚鑁と激しく対立、遂に1140年、覚鑁の自所であった金剛峯寺境内の密厳院を急襲してこれを焼き払ったうえ金剛峯寺追放という凶行に出る。