Abstract: The article explores the main orientation of the research on Ling Guangdian with the help of the academic research results of Ling Guangdian, and holds that the academic circles mainly focus on the three stages of the development of Ling Guangdian, namely, the growth experience of Ling Guangdian, the period of political administration and the period of study of the Yi nationality. Among them, the background of Tusi and growth process of Ling Guangdian are focused in the growth experience period; the reform practice in Yi nationality areas and his petition activities in Nanjing are emphasized during the period of political administration, and in the period of study of the Yi nationality, his works are studied and organized. Based on the three stages, the relevant research has covered many fields, such as ethnic education, social governance, ethnic development, identity awareness, and national policy in Yi nationality areas and other fields.

Key words: the last generation of Tusi, study of Ling Guangdian, main orientation