It is said that the founder (first chief priest) of Todai-ji Temple Roben kept this statue beside him at all times, and it is known from the legend of TAIRA no Masakado; it has been a famous statue since ancient times.
本像は東大寺の開山（初代住職）良弁の念持仏と伝え、平将門の伝説でも知られる、古来著名な像である。