Goto Egen was compiled to consolidate 5 different toshi collectively referred to as 'Gotoroku' including "Keitoku Dentoroku," "Tensho Kotoroku," "Kenchu Keikoku Zokutoroku," "Shumon Rento Eyou" and "Katai Futoroku" that had been accepted into the royal library by Imperial sanction.
「五灯録」と総称される、『景徳伝灯録』,『天聖広灯録』『建中靖国続灯録』『宗門聨灯会要』『嘉泰普灯録』という5種の、皇帝の勅許によって入蔵を認められた灯史を総合する意味で編纂されたものである。