According to the Chionden 知恩伝,the duration of Hōnen’s 法然 (1133–1212) seclusion in Kōyasan can be narrowed down to about eleven years from the age of 25 to 36.
The Daigohon 醍醐本 (written by Genchi 源智 [1183–1239] and edited by Shukurenbō 宿蓮房 [d. u.]) describes that Hōnen, along with Shinji-nyūdō Shinkanbō Kansai 進士入道真観房感西 (1153–1200) and Ashōbō Insai 阿性房印西 (d. u.), visited Kanga 寛雅 (d. u.) who was Dainagon-risshi 大納言律師 and the leader of the Sanron 三論 school in Daigo 醍醐.This description makes it clear that Hōnen’s visit to the nine sects took place around the first year of Joan (1171) at the age of 39. This roughly corresponds to the result that the author previously derived from the Daigohon and other related literature. Thus he concludes that Hōnen visited the nine sects around the age of 38.
