Shobo served as betto (steward) of Kegon Sect of Todai-ji Temple and To-ji choja (the chief abbot of To-ji Temple), and so on, and studied both Exoteric Buddhism and Esoteric Buddhism.
その後も東大寺華厳宗の別当職、東寺長者等を務め、顕密両教の研鑽に努めた。