About 50,000 people marched through central Seoul in a multicolored lantern parade to celebrate Buddha's Birthday [1].
The event integrates traditional spiritual practice with modern technology, using robotic figures to signal a commitment to coexistence in a digital age.
The procession began at Heunginjimun and moved toward Jogyesa Temple. Robot monks led the march, serving as a visual representation of peace and harmony [1], [2]. The participants included Buddhist believers and general citizens who carried lanterns to illuminate the city center [1], [3].
This year's celebration marks the Buddhist year 2570 [1]. The use of robotics in the parade is intended to convey a message of coexistence between humanity and technology. The lanterns, appearing in five different colors, are traditional symbols of mercy, and unity within the faith [2].
An anchor for YTN News said that the city center was colored by the five-colored lanterns of mercy and harmony ahead of Buddha's Birthday in the Buddhist year 2570 [2]. The event focused on creating a shared space for citizens to reflect on peace while navigating the streets of the capital [1], [3].
The parade is a recurring highlight of the Buddhist calendar, but the addition of robot monks marks a shift toward incorporating artificial intelligence and robotics into public religious displays. The procession ended at Jogyesa Temple, the headquarters of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, where the lanterns were gathered for final prayers [1], [2].
“Robot monks led the march, serving as a visual representation of peace and harmony.”
The inclusion of robot monks in a traditional religious procession reflects South Korea's broader trend of blending high-tech innovation with cultural heritage. By positioning AI-driven figures at the forefront of a spiritual event, the organizers are attempting to redefine the relationship between technology and faith, suggesting that robotics can coexist with, rather than replace, traditional human rituals.
