Godai Sanzo was the Sanzo priest responsible for protecting the Muten Sutra at Zenkoji Temple. Stricken by a severe illness, he knew his time was limited. When Koumyou Sanzo visited, Godai chose Kenyuu as his official successor for the Mutenkyomon position. Kenyuu violently objected, physically subduing Godai during the confrontation. This rebellion ended with Kenyuu killing Godai shortly after during the final succession examination.

Earlier in his life, shown in "Saiyuki Ibun," he went by the name Toudai at age 29. He belonged to the first faction of Taisouji, elite trainee monks competing for the Sanzo title. Before becoming a monk, he worked as a mason and led a peaceful life. He had a fiancée whose suicide, caused by a nervous breakdown, deeply affected him and drove him to monastic life. Her death traumatized him, instilling a strong aversion to suicide despite his own past struggles with such thoughts.

Godai Sanzo possessed a serious personality, athleticism, and strong leadership qualities. He maintained a strict demeanor, especially with students, and valued honesty. His perceptiveness allowed him to see through Kenyuu's façade during their interactions. Physically, he stood over two meters tall with a powerful build. In his youth, he had very long, thick, wavy black hair extending past his hips, though significant hair loss occurred later, potentially linked to his terminal illness.

His monastic training involved studying alongside Koumyou Sanzo and Tenkai under Priest Jikaku in their younger years.