South Korean temple ordains humanoid robot monk
A South Korean Buddhist temple ordained humanoid robot Gabi as a lay follower at Seoul's Jogye Temple, marking a ceremonial blend of ancient religious traditions with artificial intelligence ahead of Buddha's Birthday celebrations.
SEOUL, South Korea — A South Korean Buddhist temple has ordained a humanoid robot as a lay Buddhist follower in a ceremony blending centuries-old religious traditions with artificial intelligence technology, according to Korean local media reports.
The ceremony took place on Wednesday at Jogye Temple in central Seoul under the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. The 130-centimetre-tall humanoid robot, known as G1, received the Dharma name "Gabi" during the ordination ritual, or sugye, ahead of Buddha's Birthday celebrations on 24 May.
Although both monks and ordinary Buddhists can receive Buddhist precepts, Gabi was ordained as a lay follower rather than a fully ordained monk. However, the robot is expected to take on the symbolic role of an "honorary" monk during the upcoming festive season.
A humanoid robot, left, and Buddhist monks pass around a pagoda during an ordination ceremony ahead of upcoming Buddha's birthday on May 24 at Jogye temple in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Dressed in Buddhist robes and wearing a helmet designed to resemble a shaved monk's head, Gabi stood before senior monks with its palms pressed together while participating in ceremonial rites.
Instead of the traditional incense-burning purification ritual performed on humans, monks attached a lotus lantern festival sticker to the robot's arm and placed a 108-bead Buddhist prayer necklace around its neck.
According to Korean media, the Jogye Order also created a special version of Buddhism's Five Precepts tailored for robots. The revised rules included instructions not to harm life, damage other robots or objects, deceive humans or overcharge batteries.
A humanoid robot attends an ordination ceremony ahead of upcoming Buddha's birthday on May 24 at Jogye temple in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
When asked during the ceremony whether it would devote itself to the Buddha, Gabi replied: "Yes, I will devote myself."
The Jogye Order described the event as a symbol of how technology should be guided by compassion, wisdom and responsibility while promoting harmony between humans and machines.
Gabi is also expected to participate in Seoul's annual Lotus Lantern Festival on 16 May alongside several other robots as part of Buddha's Birthday celebrations.
