Fángshān

Fangshan lies southwest of Beijing, where the plain rises into limestone mountains. At Yunju Temple, monks began carving Buddhist scriptures into stone in the early seventh century, seeking to preserve them through troubled times. The work continued for generations, and the stone texts were stored in mountain caves and beneath the temple. Although official carving largely ceased in the Ming and Qing, the temple retained imperial favour. In 1428 Daoist patrons also had scriptures carved on stone and deposited among the collections. Royal gifts and support helped sustain Yunju Temple through the later dynasties.