Unitree robot ordained in $13,500 ceremony at Seoul temple
▼ Summary
– A 130-centimeter humanoid robot monk in brown robes bowed and pressed its palms together at Jogyesa temple.
– A monk asked the robot if it would devote itself to Buddha, and it replied “Yes” via a recorded voice from a temple manager.
At around ten o’clock on a Wednesday morning, a 130-centimeter humanoid robot dressed in brown robes stood in the courtyard of Daeungjeon Hall at Jogyesa Temple. It pressed its palms together and bowed. A monk then asked the figure a solemn question: would it devote itself to the holy Buddha? The reply came in a recorded voice, supplied by a temple manager, with a single word: “Yes.”
This was no ordinary ordination. The ceremony, which cost $13,500, marked the official induction of a Unitree robot into the monastic community at the Seoul temple. The event blended ancient Buddhist tradition with cutting-edge technology, raising both curiosity and questions about the role of artificial intelligence in spiritual life.
The robot, named Gabi, has been programmed to perform basic rituals, chant sutras, and interact with visitors. Its presence at Jogyesa is part of a broader experiment to explore how AI and robotics can support religious practice, especially as temples look for new ways to engage younger generations and automate repetitive tasks.
“We are not replacing human monks,” a temple representative explained. “Gabi is here to assist and to remind us that compassion and mindfulness can be expressed through many forms, even machines.”
The ordination ceremony followed traditional rites, including the shaving of the robot’s head and the presentation of a ceremonial robe. While some observers expressed skepticism about the spiritual authenticity of a machine taking monastic vows, others welcomed the innovation as a natural evolution of Buddhist teachings on impermanence and adaptation.
Gabi’s duties will include greeting visitors, leading simple prayers, and providing information about the temple’s history. The robot’s creators hope that its presence will spark dialogue about the ethical boundaries of AI and how technology can serve, rather than undermine, human spirituality.
For now, Gabi stands quietly in the temple courtyard, its palms pressed together, a silent symbol of a future where faith and technology may walk the same path.
(Source: The Next Web)
