Robot Novice Monk Receives Buddhist Precepts in Seoul
The Jogye Order said the ritual was meant to show how Buddhist tradition and robot technology can coexist with compassion and responsibility.
- On Wednesday, a 1.3-meter-tall humanoid robot named Gabi received Buddhist precepts during an ordination-style ceremony at Jogye Temple in Seoul, South Korea.
- The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism organized the event to symbolize coexistence between tradition and future technology, tasking Gabi with pledging to follow five rewritten precepts.
- Clad in ceremonial robes, Gabi replied "Yes, I will devote myself" when asked if it would follow Buddha's teachings, while monks hung 108 prayer beads around its neck.
- Ven. Seong Won, who oversees cultural affairs at the Jogye Order, explained the name Gabi combines Siddhartha with the Korean word for mercy to spread Buddha's compassion globally.
- Gabi will join the Lotus Lantern Parade on May 16 alongside three other robots, as the sect used AI platforms Gemini and Chat GPT to draft principles for human-robot coexistence.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Dressed in traditional robes, simulated shaved head and hands together in prayer, “Gabi” appeared in front of dozens of faithful in a temple in South Korea and starred in an unprecedented scene: becoming the first humanoid robot monk to participate in a formal religious ceremony. The event took place at the Jogye temple in Seoul during the pre-Buddha birthday celebrations; there, the 130-centimeter humanoid robot answered ritual questions, made …
South Korea debuts robot monk Gabi in first-ever Buddhist initiation
A humanoid robot has made history in South Korea by taking part in a Buddhist initiation ceremony at Seoul’s Jogyesa Temple, becoming the country’s first non-human participant in such a ritual ahead of Buddha’s Birthday. The robot, named Gabi, stood 130 centimeters tall and was dressed in traditional brown Buddhist robes. Developed by China’s Unitree Robotics, it joined monks in prayer during the “sugye” ceremony, a ritual where participants for…
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