The hossu in inkyo may play the role of the incumbent archbishop and work as the head priest at the time of a Buddhist sermon or make a copy of the principal image of the temple when the incumbent is absent because of a trip or illness.
隠居しても、当代の法主が出張で不在の場合や体調不良等で代理で法要の導師を務めたり、本尊を書写したりする場合もある。