Humanoid robot monks took Buddhist vows at Jogyesa Temple and marched in Seoul’s Lotus Lantern Festival during a procession on the 16th [2].
The integration of advanced robotics into ancient spiritual rituals represents an effort to modernize the public image of Buddhism in South Korea. By blending technology with tradition, the initiative aims to make the religion more accessible to a digitally native generation.
Among the robotic participants was a 130-centimeter unit named Gabi [1]. Gabi and other units, referred to as Seokja, were formally ordained at the Jogyesa Temple located in the Jongno district [1, 2]. Following their vows, the robots joined a procession through the streets of Seoul during the afternoon of the 16th [2].
The robot monks performed traditional Buddhist gestures during the event. These actions included bowing, folding their hands in prayer, and receiving a rosary [1, 2]. The procession took place in front of thousands of devotees who gathered for the festival [2].
Organizers said the goal of the event was to showcase the intersection of robotics and traditional practice [2]. The presence of the humanoid monks served as a centerpiece for the festival's theme of modernization. The robots moved through the crowds, mimicking the movements of human monks to signal a harmony between artificial intelligence and faith [2].
“Humanoid robot monks took Buddhist vows at Jogyesa Temple and marched in Seoul’s Lotus Lantern Festival.”
This event signals a shift in how traditional institutions in South Korea are leveraging technology to maintain cultural relevance. By ordaining humanoid robots, the Buddhist community is not replacing human practitioners but is instead using robotics as a symbolic bridge to engage a younger, tech-savvy population while preserving the visibility of traditional rituals in a modern urban environment.
