South Korea Introduces First-Ever Robot Buddhist Monk Named “Gabi”
A 130-centimeter humanoid robot was officially ordained as a Buddhist monk in South Korea just weeks before the celebration of Buddha’s birthday.
According to local reports, the special ceremony took place on May 6 at Jogyesa Temple in Seoul. The robot was given the Buddhist name “Gabi,” which means mercy in Korean. The event quickly gained attention because Gabi became the first robot in South Korea to be ordained as a Buddhist monk.
The project was introduced as part of an effort to keep Buddhism connected to younger and more modern generations. Religious leaders involved in the ceremony explained that technology is becoming a major part of daily life, and they believe religion must also find ways to connect with people living in a digital age. Instead of following traditional monk vows exactly, the robot was programmed with adjusted guidelines inspired by the five Buddhist precepts. These included respecting life, avoiding harm to people, objects, and even fellow robots, obeying humans respectfully, and conserving energy by avoiding unnecessary overcharging.
A Buddhist leader who spoke during the ceremony admitted that the idea may still feel unusual to some people. However, he explained that the goal is to encourage peaceful coexistence between humans and robots in the future. The ceremony also aimed to show that the core values of Buddhism, such as compassion, discipline, and respect, can still remain meaningful even in a rapidly changing world shaped by technology and artificial intelligence.
Gabi is expected to appear again during Seoul’s Lantern Festival on May 16 and 17 as part of the continued celebration of Buddha’s birthday. The unusual ordination has sparked curiosity and discussions online about the future relationship between religion, technology, and society.