Wishing to revive Jingo-ji Temple, where priests were absolutely corrupt, Mongaku presented a direct petition to Emperor Goshirakawa, which resulted in Mongaku being exiled to Izu Province, which was the feudal domain of MINAMOTO no Yorimasa of Settsu-Genji (Minamoto clan), the head of the Watanabe party.
荒廃しきっていた神護寺を再興するため後白河天皇に強訴したため、渡辺党の棟梁の摂津源氏の源頼政の知行国であった伊豆国に配流された。