This PhD research project focuses on the circulation and practice of Buddhism in Turfan around the 5th century. It focuses on how Buddhism in the region was formed/re-formed by the Northern Liang (北涼, 397-460) migration and how Buddhist culture in Turfan interacted with other cultural and religious centers during the time, from the states in Western Regions to the capital of Liu Song (劉宋, 420-479). It observes how the local rulers used Buddhism as a governing and diplomatic tool. The project also looks at the development of Maitreya and Amitābha beliefs around the time and the merging/reception of these ideas in Turfan. 

The primary sources include textual sources such as sūtras and extant manuscripts from Turfan as well as epitaphs and records in Chinese Buddhist bibliographies and historical texts. The project also uses material sources including mural paintings, silk banners and tombs that date back to the period. In addition to textual and iconographical analysis, fieldwork will be conducted.