Gender in Manuscript Cultures Lecture: Maya Stiller

Inscriptions as Mirrors of Patronage: Gender and Spirituality in Korean Buddhist Temples

Maya Stiller (University of Kansas)

This lecture examines the multifaceted roles of inscriptions found in the interior of Korean Buddhist temples. Written in literary Sinitic and Siddham script, these inscriptions conveyed religious teachings, reinforced the temple’s authority, and commemorated its patrons. As such, they serve as invaluable windows into the beliefs, aspirations, and motivations of those who created and supported these sacred spaces. The analysis reveals a diverse range of voices represented in these texts, including female members of the royal court, Buddhist monks, and local scholars, offering insights into the complex dynamics that shaped Korean Buddhist culture and society.