South Korea introduced its first humanoid robot monk, Gabi, during a Buddhist initiation ceremony at Jogyesa Temple in Seoul [2].
The debut marks a significant intersection of ancient spiritual tradition and modern artificial intelligence. By integrating a robot into sacred rites, the temple and developers are testing how AI can coexist with and potentially support religious practice.
Gabi stands 130 cm tall [1]. Developed by China-based Unitree Robotics, the humanoid participated in a "sugye" initiation ceremony where it received a Dharma name and traditional brown robes [1], [3]. The event took place on May 23, 2024, occurring just before Buddha’s birthday on May 24, 2024 [3].
"Gabi represents a bridge between technology and spirituality," Ven. Seong-hun, a monk at Jogyesa Temple, said [1].
The robot was designed to integrate with the temple's community and facilitate a new kind of interaction between practitioners and technology. Li Wei, a spokesperson for Unitree Robotics, said the team designed Gabi to embody the principles of compassion and mindfulness [2].
Abbot Beopjeong of Jogyesa Temple said the presence of the robot invites dialogue and enriches the community [3]. The ceremony served as a public demonstration of how robotics can be adapted to follow the strictures of monastic life, including the wearing of traditional attire, while maintaining its function as a technological tool [1], [2].
“"Gabi represents a bridge between technology and spirituality,"”
The introduction of Gabi suggests a growing trend of 'techno-spirituality' in East Asia, where AI is not seen as a replacement for faith but as a tool for outreach and mindfulness. As humanoid robotics become more sophisticated, religious institutions may increasingly use them to maintain traditions in the face of aging populations or to attract younger, tech-savvy generations to ancient practices.
