For the first time in South Korean history, a robot took part in a Buddhist ordination ceremony and even took vows of devotion to the teachings of the Buddha. The event took place at the Jogyesa Temple in Seoul on the eve of Buddha’s Birthday.
A metal novice wearing a brown robe
A humanoid robot—a 130-centimeter-tall device manufactured by the Chinese company Unitree Robotics—took part in the “sugye” ritual. Dressed in traditional Buddhist robes, it pressed its palms together in a prayerful gesture and bowed alongside the monks and nuns in the temple courtyard.
When the monk asked if he would dedicate himself to the Buddha’s teachings, he replied aloud, “Yes, I will devote myself .” This is the first such instance in the country’s history—and the first Buddhist ordination in which a machine participated.
Monastic life, the rosary, and the commandments
During the ceremony, the robot was given the Dharma name Gabi—a name derived from the Korean word for “mercy. A monk placed a rosary with 108 beads on it and attached a sticker to its arm—instead of the traditional “yeonbi,” a ritual in which human novices receive small burns from incense on their skin.
Using AI tools, the Five Precepts of Buddhism have also been adapted specifically for robots. Among the new rules are: do not harm living beings, do not damage other robots or objects, obey humans and avoid arguments, avoid deceptive behavior, and conserve energy and avoid overcharging.
First step toward coexistence
Venerable Seong Won, who oversees cultural affairs for the Jogye Order, explained that when humanoid robots first appeared three years ago, the temple began considering how to incorporate them into its celebrations. This ceremony marks the first step in that direction.
Gabi is scheduled to be on display again at the Lotus Lantern Festival on May 24—along with three other robot companions: Seokja, Mohee, and Nissa. The festival celebrating Buddha’s birthday attracts thousands of participants every year and features large-scale processions and performances.
According to interestingengineering.com
