Buddhist temples in Seoul, South Korea, have begun ordaining humanoid robot monks to participate in religious ceremonies and public festivals.
This initiative represents an effort to modernize the faith and attract younger audiences by integrating contemporary technology into ancient spiritual practices. Temple leaders said they aim to create a harmonious co-existence between robots and society through these deployments.
One such robot, named Gabi, was ordained in early May 2026 [1]. The robot has since participated in religious activities, including leading a procession of chanting monks [1]. Other reports said that robots named Seokja also led processions during city events [3].
On May 16, 2026, these robot monks marched in a lantern procession through the downtown Jongno district [3]. The event was part of the Lotus Lantern Festival, which is recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO [4].
To support these celebrations, a South Korean temple planned to deploy four humanoid robots [2]. Each of these humanoid units costs $16,000 [2].
The integration of robotics into the temple setting is designed to bridge the gap between traditional monastic life and the digital age. By introducing figures like Gabi, the temples said they hope to make the religion more accessible to a generation more comfortable with artificial intelligence than traditional ritual.
“South Korean Buddhist temples have begun ordaining and deploying humanoid robot monks.”
The use of humanoid robots in South Korean Buddhism signals a strategic shift toward 'technological spirituality.' By adopting robots for public-facing roles and cultural festivals, the church is attempting to mitigate the decline of youth participation. This move tests the boundaries of religious ordination and suggests that in highly digitized societies, the aesthetic and functional presence of AI may become a primary tool for cultural preservation.
