Xiaowen was recorded to have studied the traditions of the Shang, Zhou, Han, and Jin dynasties along with analyzing the Four Books and Five Classics.

The robes typical of an Indian monk transitioned to thicker pleated, longer garments with straighter folds.

[1][2] Weighing 3954 grams, the statue presents a more mobile size compared to the colossal Buddhas at Yungang and Longmen.

It is assembled from two pieces: the figure and stand, and the body and halo[2][3] The gilding with a tint of red adheres to the bronze and shows very little sign of wear and peeling.

[1][2] The inscription on the side of the statue dates the commemoration of it, to the 10th day of the 9th lunar month, of the 1st year of Taihe.

It took coordination between the National Palace Museum and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan to transfer the ownership.