• Journal of architectural history
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.71-86
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• 2022

This study examines the process of the introduction of stupa, which has originated in India, to the Xinjiang Uyghur region and the features of the stupas in the Xinjiang Uyghur region in detail. This study examines the layout of the buildings in temple compounds and the types, structural elements, and construction methods of the stupas in the Xinjiang Uyghur region in particular by looking into the content of the Da Tang Xi Yu Ji and remaining stupas, which provide examples of stupas at the time. This study finds that due to the characteristics of dry deserts, stupas in Xinjiang Uyghur region, where assimilation between Eastern and Western cultures is seen, were mostly made by pressing clay into a mold and had no interior spaces. Also, construction materials and techniques had been developed and improved in a way that enabled stupas to combat the challenging desert conditions. However, the stupas in this region differed significantly from the wooden tower-like stupas discovered in central China(zhongyuan 中原). The shape of the dome of most stupas in Xinjiang Uyghur region was chosen under the influence of the Gandharan style. Some of the stupas in the region have taken the general forms of the wooden stupas and the others have taken many forms, from cylindrical drums to towers. Also, there have been forests of stupas and stupas similar in form to chaityas and stupas of Vajrayana. Such different forms were transformed and modified through regional history and it was related to the peoples and cultures that produced and used stupas. Stupas evolved into distinct forms in Xinjiang Uyghur region in this way.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.41-60
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• 2011

As Overturned-bowl Stupa of India, the origin of Stupa, is accepted by neighboring countries, pure form and local characteristics combined to bring change in unique style for each country. Such change is established as new style through combination with contemporary tradition in China. In this thesis, pattern of Stupa shown in Longmen Grottoes' Relief-Stupa relieves. Since study on how Indian Stupa was introduced into China has been partially undertaken, this study focuses on the pattern of Stupas from that perspective. 40 Stupas were explored during field work with naked eyes, among about 50 stupas reported on the research data by Longmen Grottoes Institute. Relief-Stupa relieves of Longmen Grottoes are as important as Yungang Grottoes. While Yungang Grottoes were built during a period when Gandhara style and Occidental expression were adopted and integrated with Chinese culture and Buddhism, building of Longmen Grottoes can be called a starting point of 'Chinese' style of Buddhist culture and Stupa, fully integrated with Chinese culture.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2013

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the layout of Early Chinese Buddhist Temples from the Eastern Han Dynasty to the Northern and Southern Dynasties. The results are as follows: 1) In the Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms Period, the layout of Temples was a pagoda-centered system which had one-courtyard. The layout of Temples in this period was still under the influence of Indian Temples. 2) In the Western and Eastern Jin Dynasties, the layout of Temples was still a pagoda-centered system. However, many buildings began to appear in Temples after the mid-4th century. In the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Twin pagodas started to appear in Temples. 3) In the Northern and Southern Dynasties, there were many layout types, but the main form was the layout of front Pagoda and rear Buddhist Hall. The layout of Temples in this period was in a transition stage, which evolved from a pagoda-centered Temple which had one-courtyard and after developed into a Buddhist Hall-centered Temple which had multi-courtyard.