In 824 he assumed the position of the Head Priest of Tendai, becoming the first such head priest, and also participated in the Yuima-e (Buddhist debates) as a lecturer in 832; this was the first time a priest designated as a member of the Tendai sect had done so.
824年（天長元年）初代の天台座主に就任し、832年（天長9年）には天台宗の僧として初めて維摩会の講師となった。