In 816, when he was 23 years old, he was ordained, receiving the 250 Hinayana precepts, or gusokukai, in Todai-ji Temple, one of the Three Kaidan (Seats of Ordination).
816年（弘仁7年）、三戒壇の一つ東大寺で具足戒（小乗250戒）を受ける（23歳）。