The outset of the direct petition was a dispute between one of the branch temples called Shirayama-ji Temple and a local agent; and, the impact of this dispute expanded into a full conflict between the Emperor and Enryaku-ji temple.
発端は延暦寺の末寺・白山と現地の目代の紛争で、中央に波及して院と延暦寺の全面衝突となった。