Korea Welcomes Robotic Buddhist Monk at a Real Monastery. It’s a Sign of Things to Come.
The Jogye Order said the ceremony is meant to test how AI and Buddhism can coexist and reach younger people, as debate grew online.
- On Wednesday, Jogye Temple in Seoul introduced Gabi, its first humanoid robot monk, during an ordination ceremony ahead of Buddha's birthday. The 130-centimeter-tall robot wore traditional Buddhist robes and pledged to devote itself to Buddhism.
- Inspired by Siddhartha and a Korean word for compassion, the Jogye Order created Gabi to make Buddhism more relevant to youth and explore how humans and technology might coexist in the future.
- Built as an AI-powered Unitree G1 model costing $13,500, Gabi took adapted vows pledging to respect life and follow humans rather than the traditional Five Precepts. During the ritual, it wore a 108-bead rosary and bowed in prayer.
- Online reactions split sharply, with Instagram user Kiki Bhutia calling the event a "distortion of something sacred," while others praised Buddhism's peaceful message. Gabi is scheduled to appear at Seoul's Lantern Festival on May 16-17 to honor Buddha's birthday.
- Faith leaders including Pope Leo and Elder Gerrit W. Gong of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have cautioned against relying on artificial intelligence for spiritual matters. Gong said "AI is neither the sum of, nor the solution to, all our opportunities or problems.
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Robot Monk “Gabi” Ordained at Jogyesa Temple Ahead of Buddha’s Birthday, Sparking Debate Over Faith and Technology
Jogyesa Temple made history this week when a humanoid robot named “Gabi” was ordained as a Buddhist monk, marking what is believed to be the ... The post Robot Monk “Gabi” Ordained at Jogyesa Temple Ahead of Buddha’s Birthday, Sparking Debate Over Faith and Technology first appeared on [your]NEWS.
Robot becomes ordained monk and promises to ‘devote myself’ to faith
A robot has become an ordained monk and promised to devote itself to Buddhism.In South Korea, the newest Buddhist monk is a robot named Gabi which retails for $13,500 (£9,900).The 130-centimetre tall robot, manufactured by Chinese company Unitree Robotics, wore a traditional Buddhist robe as it pledged itself to Buddhism.Gabi - a Buddhist name that means mercy - wore black shoes and put its hands together to pray as it approached a panel of four…
Gabi is the android who was ordained a monk in Seoul on May 6 during a mantra reciting ceremony by the Jogye Order, the largest Buddhist movement in the country.The robot, whose name means “Buddha's mercy”, received an official certificate with its date of manufacture, March 3, 2026, in the same space reserved for the date of birth of human initiates. Dressed with a grey and brown ceremonial tunic, black shoes, a rosary and flesh-colored gloves,…
South Korean Robot Ordained As Buddhist Monk
The Guardian reports: Amid rows of colourful lanterns strung across the courtyard of Jogyesa temple in Seoul, an unusual ceremony unfolded this week: monks held a Buddhist initiation for a humanoid robot draped in saffron robe. They placed a string of 108 prayer beads around the robot’s neck and affixed a lantern festival sticker to its mechanical arm in place of the traditional yeonbi ritual, in which burning incense is lightly pressed against …
Humanoid Robot Gabi Becomes South Korea's First 'Honourary Monk' Ahead of Buddha's Birthday
A humanoid robot in ceremonial robes stood shoulder to shoulder with Buddhist monks in central Seoul this week, bowing in prayer and reciting vows before a packed temple courtyard. What made the scene remarkable was not the ritual itself, but the fact the newest 'monk' was powered by motors, remote controls and prerecorded audio. The robot, named Gabi, has become South Korea's first honorary Buddhist monk after an ordination ceremony staged by t…
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