He was born in Hezhou, but left home to practice Buddhism at the age of sixteen.

However, Daohe retired and was replaced by Zhenxie Qingliao of the Caodong/Sōtō School, who became the teacher that gave Zongjue dharma transmission.

He remained there for four years before becoming the abbot of Tiantong Monastery near the modern city of Ningbo in 1159.

[1]: 438  He was replacing the former abbot, the famous Hongzhi Zhengjue, who died there in 1157.

[1]: 438  Tiantong temple was the same monastery where Eihei Dogen studied under Tiantong Rujing before bringing the teaching back to Japan and founding the Sōtō School.