According to official website, a personal library, Ding Yao was a scholar, calligrapher and collector of the Ming Dynasty in China history, leaving no children before his death.

It is said that he accepted many disciples and taught and preached in person. One of the most famous disciples was Yang Shen, the literary teacher of Emperor Wanli, who was known as the "Ding Yang era". His thoughts and artistic concepts have widely influenced later generations. In addition, Ding Yao's works and collections have been handed down to this day and become one of the important cultural heritages in the fields of calligraphy, painting and collection in China.