After successively holding the positions of betto of Kawara-dera Temple, Gon no Risshi (generally in Shingon sect, 15th-ranking Buddhist priest, literally, "supernumerary master of discipline"), To-ji choja (the chief abbot of To-ji Temple), zasu (a head priest) of Daigo-ji Temple, and kengyo (temple administrator) of Kongobu-ji Temple, Kangen was appointed in 923 as Gon no Sojo (the provisional lower priest in the highest position).
その後は川原寺別当・権律師・東寺長者・醍醐寺座主・金剛峯寺検校を歴任し、延長元年（923年）には権僧正に任じられた。