Overview
- Gabi, which was ordained Wednesday at Seoul’s Jogyesa Temple, took Buddhist vows in a formal sugye ceremony that the order presented as symbolic.
- Monks adapted rituals for a non‑human participant, using a lantern sticker and prayer beads in place of incense burns and tailoring five precepts that include avoiding deception and conserving energy.
- Gabi is a Unitree G1 humanoid about 130 cm tall that retails for roughly $13,500, and it wore traditional robes during the ceremony.
- Critics noted the robot was remotely controlled with pre‑recorded speech and was on loan for the day, raising questions about authenticity and control.
- The order says Gabi will join the Lotus Lantern Festival later this month as part of efforts to reach younger audiences as Buddhist affiliation in South Korea declines.