Humanoid Robot Becomes Buddhist Monk In South Korea (smithsonianmag.com)
- Reference: 0183164606
- News link: https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/26/05/09/0241247/humanoid-robot-becomes-buddhist-monk-in-south-korea
- Source link: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/meet-gabi-the-new-robot-monk-at-a-buddhist-temple-in-south-korea-its-the-latest-robot-to-take-up-religious-practice-180988695/
> For the temple, this marks the first time a robot has participated in the sugye initiation ceremony, when followers pledge their devotion to the Buddha and his teachings. Gabi -- a Buddhist name that refers to mercy, [3]Yonhap News Agency reports -- was [4]made by Unitree Robotics, a Chinese civilian robotics company. The model, G1, retails [5]starting at $13,500 . During the ceremony, Gabi agreed to five vows usually recited by human monks and slightly altered for the humanoid. The robot pledged to respect life, act with peace toward other robots and objects, listen to humans, refrain from acting or speaking in a deceptive manner and save energy.
>
> Gabi participated in a modified yeonbi purification ritual. While a human monk normally receives a small incense burn on the arm, instead Gabi received a lotus lantern festival sticker and a prayer bead necklace. The landmark event aligns with the promise made during a New Year's address by the Venerable Jinwoo, president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, to incorporate artificial intelligence into the Buddhist tradition. "We aim to fearlessly lead the A.I. era and redirect its achievements toward the path of attaining peace of mind and enlightenment," he said, per a statement.
[1] https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/meet-gabi-the-new-robot-monk-at-a-buddhist-temple-in-south-korea-its-the-latest-robot-to-take-up-religious-practice-180988695/
[2] https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/06/technology/robot-monk-buddhist-seoul.html
[3] https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/society/20260506/buddhist-sect-welcomes-humanoid-robot-gabi-with-precept-ceremony
[4] https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10732053
[5] https://www.unitree.com/g1
calm down guys (Score:2)
But if one ever decides to be a ShaoLin monk, we must tell it that one of the requirements is it must be blind first. And remember the first rule: Go North, and seek out your master. He likes knock-knock jokes at the border.
Re: (Score:1)
> But if one ever decides to be a ShaoLin monk
He'd just leave the same day though, being able to lift that burning cauldron with no pain ...
Artificial flavors (Score:1)
By pretending that a robot could have spirituality its creators pretending that they could create fully sentient and spiritual being.
Re: (Score:2)
Does a robot have the Buddha nature?
Also, are prayer wheels still effective if you hook them up to electric motors?
Electric Monk (Score:2)
Douglas Adams was a prophet. I hope the makers of the robot have given it reasonable protection against intrusive advertising.
I dislike the pretense (Score:4, Informative)
The robot didn't 'pledge' anything - it mindlessly followed a script. A pledge requires self-awareness and will, neither of which this device has.
Re: (Score:2)
I thought it was self-actualized Johnny Five.
Re: (Score:2)
Time is fun when you are having flies.
Its to get the tourists in (Score:2)
And more importantly - their money.
Re: (Score:2)
Yeah, this sounds like some kind of jaded Transhumanist humiliation ritual.
If true as written, those 'monks' are without honor or reverence.
The real question ... (Score:2)
... Can it beg for a donation?
Just an advertising stunt (Score:4, Informative)
If you read the NYT article (https://archive.ph/PkPbJ) it says;
'Gabi’s movements were remotely controlled from behind the scenes, Mr. Hong said. And he admitted that its words had been prerecorded.
“It was actually my voice,” Mr. Hong said. He said he had recorded Gabi’s words on his phone and sent it to the robot’s manufacturer before the event.'
And;
'The robot had only been loaned to the temple for the day, and had since been returned to its manufacturer.'
Re: (Score:2)
"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain."
The more things change, the more they stay the same. - Some French guy.
They should ask me (Score:2)
I'd built them thousands of meditating/praying stat,,,,I mean robots who ONLY do that, with eyes closed.
For only $ 9999.99
So they are into Animism now? (Score:2)
That is not a sign of insight into reality...
On the other hand, all those idiots thinking LLMs have consciousness are no better.
When will a humanoid robot do something useful? (Score:2)
I see plenty of robots that can dance a jig, but when will it be able to do tasks that require some manual dexterity like assembling something (non-contrived) or doing sculpture?
Fuckbot for your soul (Score:1)
Buddhism, really?