A humanoid robot named Gabi was formally ordained as a Buddhist monk at Jogyesa Temple in central Seoul on Wednesday [1, 2].
The move represents an attempt to modernize the faith and attract new followers as the temple faces declining participation in Buddhism [2, 4].
Gabi was welcomed into the religious community during a ceremony held ahead of celebrations for the Buddha’s birthday [2, 3]. The humanoid robot now serves as an honorary monk, integrating artificial intelligence into the traditional spiritual environment of the temple [2, 3].
Jogyesa Temple is a prominent center for the Buddhist sect in South Korea [3]. The introduction of Gabi follows a growing global trend of integrating robotics into public and spiritual spaces to maintain visibility and engagement [1].
Temple officials said the robot's presence is intended to bridge the gap between ancient traditions and the digital age. By utilizing a humanoid interface, the temple aims to make Buddhist teachings more accessible to a younger, tech-savvy generation [2, 4].
The ordination process for Gabi included traditional rites typically reserved for human practitioners. This symbolic gesture underscores the temple's willingness to experiment with non-human entities to preserve the relevance of the faith in a rapidly evolving technological landscape [2, 3].
“Gabi was formally ordained as a Buddhist monk at Jogyesa Temple in central Seoul”
The ordination of Gabi signifies a shift in how traditional institutions view the intersection of spirituality and artificial intelligence. By granting a humanoid robot honorary status, the Jogyesa Temple is prioritizing cultural survival and visibility over strict adherence to human-centric clerical traditions, signaling a broader trend of 'technological adaptation' within global religions to combat dwindling membership.
