Dōhan entered the priesthood at age 14, and under the tutelage of Myōnin 明任 (1148–1229) of Shōchiin he received tonsure, studied the shido 四度, which are as follows: 1. jūhachi dōhō 十八道法; 2. kongō kaihō 金剛界法; 3. taizō kaihō 胎藏界法; 4. goma hō 護摩法. In the eighth month of the second year of Kennin 建仁 (1202), he took up residency at Hōkōin 寶光院. On the first day of the 11th month, of the fourth year of Kenpō 建保 (1216) Dōhan received the gusoku kanjō 具足灌頂 from Myōnin. Dōhan later studied “Six Elements No-dualist” thought, rokudai funi shisō 六大不二門思想 under Kakukai 覺海 (Nanshōbō 南勝房) (1142–1223) of the Keōin 華王院. Six Elements Nondualist thought was an extremely influential school of thought within the Shingon tradition and came to dominate during the Muromachi period.

Later, Dōhan moved to Kyoto and studied under the tutelage of Jōhen 靜遍 (1165–1223) of Zenrinji 禪林寺, and Jitsugen 實賢 (1176–1249) of Kongōō-in 金剛王院 at Godaiji 醍醐寺. Under the tutelage of Kakuhō 覺法 (1091–1153), Dōhan received the transmission of the Hirosawa Dharma lineage 廣澤法流. During this time he also studied under a monk named Sonnin 尊任 (dates unknown). Dōhan returned to Mt. Kōya in the first year of 文曆 (1234), residing at the Dharma lecture hall, hōen 法筵, at Shōchiin. In year three of Katei 嘉禎 (1237) he became the head administrator, shugyō 執行, for Shōchiin. Later, Myōnin initiated Dōhan into the deepest mysteries of the Chūin lineage 中院流. In the first year of Kangen 寬元 (1243), as a result of Dōhanʼs involvement in the dispute between Kongōbuji 金剛峰寺 and Daidenbōin 大傳法院 he was exiled to San'uki 讚岐 province on the island of Shikoku 四國. Sources report that Dōhan was treated with respect by the regional lords, even receiving patronage from them while he was in exile. While in Shikoku, he made pilgrimage to auspicious places associated with the ascetic practices of Kūkai 空海 (Kōbō Daishi 弘法大師, 774–835). While traveling around Shikoku, Dōhan composed waka 和歌 and kanshi 漢詩 which still survive in the Nankai ryūrōki 南海流浪記, a travelogue of his time in Shikoku. In San'uki, he lectured at Zentsūji 善通寺, and devoted his time to teaching and scholarship. It is said that during this time Dōhan was of great benefit to the common people.

In the fifth month of the first year of Kenchō 建長 (1249) Dōhan was pardoned by imperial decree, whereupon he returned to Mt. Kōya, and resided at the Hōkōin. His exile had lasted for seven years. In summer, the fourth month, of the fourth year of Kenchō, Dōhan fell ill due to an ulcer. At the age of 75 (Japanese years), in 1252 Dōhan passed away. His grave site is located at Muryōjuin 無量壽院. His major extant works include: Dohan shōsoku 道範消息; Dainichikyōso henmyōshō 大日經疎遍明抄; Himitsu nenbutsu shō 祕密念佛抄; Nankai rurōki 南海流浪記.