South Korea’s Jogye Order Introduces Humanoid Robot as Symbolic Buddhist Monk

Overview

• Gabi took part in an ordination-style rite at Seoul’s Jogye Temple, which occurred Wednesday, receiving a Buddhist name after bowing and declaring devotion.
• Monks set machine-focused versions of Buddhism’s five precepts with rules to respect life, avoid harming robots or objects, follow human directions, avoid deception, and conserve energy.
• The order said it consulted AI systems, including Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, when drafting the robot’s behavioral guidelines.
• Organizers said Gabi will appear later this month at the Yeondeunghoe lantern festival with three other Buddhist-themed humanoids named Seokja, Mohee, and Nisa.
• Jogye leaders cast the project as cultural outreach for visitors and younger people rather than a move to replace human monks.