Xinru Liu se centra en la historia temprana de la India y la historia mundial. Es profesora asociada en The College of New Jersey y profesora titular en el Instituto de Historia Mundial de la Academia China de Ciencias Sociales. Su obra explora los intercambios históricos y culturales entre diversas civilizaciones. Investiga la difusión y transformación de ideas, tecnologías y expresiones artísticas a lo largo de las épocas.
This book offers an engaging exploration of the societal context during the time of the Buddha, blending scholarly research with imaginative storytelling. It delves into the cultural, political, and spiritual dynamics of the era, providing readers with a vivid understanding of the historical backdrop that influenced Buddhist teachings and practices. The narrative is designed to be both informative and accessible, appealing to those interested in history, religion, and philosophy.
Xinru Liu studies the silk trade in Eurasia between the seventh and twelfth centuries to explore how religious ideas affected economic behavior. Long-distance silk trade was established for centuries in ancient Eurasia, well before the state in Tang China and the Byzantine Empire set up statesilk industries and clothing codes to regulate the trade and consumption of silk textiles. Silk textiles were invested with symbolic meaning and their use restricted to bureaucratic and religious hierarchies in both regions.