Xuanzang’s helpers from Turfan: Some notes based on mediaeval Chinese manuscripts

As the first station in Central Asia of Xuanzang’s India pilgrimage, Turfan has contributed much to his success. This essay deals with two Turfanese who have served Xuanzang. (I) Among the numerous pupils and assistants of Xuanzang, Xuanjue is less renowned, yet he enjoys a position in Buddhist historiography. Thanks to MSS finds at Turfan, new clues of his life and work can now be gathered to supplement his biography particularly in respect to his importance for the local Buddhist community in the 7th century. (II) Though a marginal figure in the Cien Biography , the once messenger of Xuanzang Ma Xuanzhi is recorded in a Turfan document