However, as he was ashamed of becoming a high-ranking priest among Hongan-ji Temple priests, thanks to the high status of his temple, irrespective of his talent and virtue, he converted to Zen Sect in 1655 while practicing Zen meditation under Ryuki INGEN and succeeded the teachings of Shoto MOKUAN, a disciple of INGEN.
が、本願寺宗徒では才徳がなくとも寺格の高下によって上座にあることを潔しとせず、1655年（明暦元年）隠元隆きに参禅して禅に帰依し、隠元の弟子木庵性トウの法を嗣いだ。