Core Viewpoint - Yunju Temple houses a unique collection of stone, paper, and wooden scriptures, particularly renowned for its thousands of stone scriptures carved over a millennium, making it a national treasure and a cultural landmark in Beijing, often referred to as "the Dunhuang of Beijing" [1] Group 1: Cultural and Historical Significance - The stone scriptures at Yunju Temple began being carved during the Sui Dynasty (605-618 AD) and continued through various dynasties, resulting in at least 14,641 stone tablets with over 35 million characters, marking it as the largest and longest-lasting stone carving project in human history [2] - Unlike the Dunhuang Mogao Caves, which are famous for murals and sculptures, the stone scriptures at Yunju Temple uniquely blend Buddhist texts with stone carving art, showcasing different calligraphic styles from the Sui to the Ming and Qing dynasties [2] - The scriptures encompass over 1,100 texts and 3,500 volumes, providing invaluable material for studying ancient Chinese Buddhist literature, social beliefs, and cultural transmission [3] Group 2: Preservation Challenges - The preservation of the scriptures has faced significant challenges, including theft and damage throughout history, particularly during the Liao and Jin dynasties, and later during the Republic of China period when many scriptures were destroyed or stolen [4][5] - Reports from the 1920s indicate severe damage to the scriptures, with instances of theft and destruction by Japanese forces during the Second Sino-Japanese War [5] Group 3: Modern Preservation Efforts - After the founding of the People's Republic of China, efforts to protect and organize the scriptures began, with significant investigations and restoration work initiated in the 1950s [6][7] - By 1958, comprehensive protection and restoration efforts were completed, including the creation of over 30,000 prints of the scriptures, marking a new phase in their preservation [7] - In June 2025, the "Fangshan Stone Scriptures" were officially included in the "China Archives Document Heritage List," and there are ongoing efforts to apply for World Memory Heritage status to further protect and promote these cultural treasures [8]