Robot Monk Gabi Participates in Buddhist Initiation Ceremony in Seoul
On Wednesday, a humanoid robot named Gabi, standing four feet tall, participated in a Buddhist initiation ceremony at a temple in downtown Seoul. Created by the Chinese firm Unitree Robotics (model G1, priced from $13,500), Gabi donned robes and walked alongside monks. The robot accepted five adjusted vows: to respect life, act peacefully towards other robots and objects, heed humans, avoid deception, and conserve energy. Instead of traditional incense, Gabi received a sticker for the lotus lantern festival and a prayer bead necklace. The event was hosted by the Jogye Order, South Korea's largest Buddhist sect. Manager Hong Min-suk expressed that robots will work alongside humans across various fields. This ceremony supports Venerable Jinwoo's New Year's commitment to integrate AI into Buddhism, while Venerable Jungnyum encouraged embracing technology in light of dwindling followers. Gabi will also take part in the upcoming lantern festival celebrating Buddha's birth. Although uncommon, robots have been involved in religious practices before; a 2024 literature review identified nearly a dozen robots in liturgical roles, including Pepper, who conducted Buddhist funeral rites in 2017.
Key facts
- Gabi is a four-foot-tall humanoid robot monk.
- Gabi participated in a sugye initiation ceremony at a Buddhist temple in Seoul.
- The robot was made by Unitree Robotics, a Chinese company.
- Gabi agreed to five modified vows including respecting life and saving energy.
- Instead of an incense burn, Gabi received a sticker and prayer beads.
- The Jogye Order organized the event.
- Venerable Jinwoo promised to incorporate AI into Buddhism.
- Gabi will join the lantern festival for Buddha's birth later this month.
- A 2017 robot named Pepper performed Buddhist funeral rites.
- The ceremony took place on Wednesday in downtown Seoul.
Entities
Institutions
- Jogye Order
- Unitree Robotics
- New York Times
- Yonhap News Agency
- Seoul Economic Daily
- University of Vienna
- University of Erlangen-Nuremberg
- University of Virginia
- Japan Times
- Smithsonian Magazine
Locations
- Seoul
- South Korea
- China