Imperial Prince Fushiminomiya Sadafusa in his diary "Kanmon Nikki" wrote the purpose of Hyakumanben Nenbutsu to be plainly as 'ceremony for the past and prayer for the present.'
伏見宮貞成親王は日記『看聞日記』の中で百万遍念仏の目的を「過去追善現在祈祷」と端的に記している。