Kumarajiva; (pinyin: Jium贸lu贸sh铆) (344-413 CE) was a Kuchean Buddhist monk; scholar; and translator. He first studied the teachings of the Sarvastivada schools; later studied under Buddhasvamin; and finally became a Mahayana adherent; studying the Madhyamaka doctrine of Nagarjuna. He settled in Chang'an (today known as Xi'an). He is mostly remembered for his prolific translation of Sanskrit Buddhist texts into Chinese.

The Kizil Caves (Qizil Ming Oy; Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas) are 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township in Xinjiang. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres by road northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.

The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in Xinjiang; with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted; at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings鈥攎ostly Jataka stories鈥攔emain.