Nonin initially studied at Tendai Sect but he attained enlightenment by himself, without a mentor, by reading through Zen books that had been introduced into Japan in the old days and thereafter, he began propagation activities at Sanpo-ji Temple in Settsu Province (Osaka Prefecture).
能忍は初め天台宗を学んだが、古来から日本に伝わった禅籍を読破して無師独悟し、摂津国（大阪府）の三宝寺を中心として布教活動を始めた。