Robot monk Gabi joins Buddhist ritual in Seoul, marking first AI participation in religious initiation ceremony.
A humanoid robot has made history in South Korea by taking part in a Buddhist initiation ceremony at Seoul’s Jogyesa Temple, becoming the country’s first non-human participant in such a ritual ahead of Buddha’s Birthday.
The robot, named Gabi, stood 130 centimeters tall and was dressed in traditional brown Buddhist robes. Developed by China’s Unitree Robotics, it joined monks in prayer during the “sugye” ceremony, a ritual where participants formally pledge devotion to the Buddha, his teachings, and the monastic community.
At the ceremony, Gabi pressed its palms together in a prayer gesture and bowed alongside monks and nuns in the temple courtyard. The Siddhartha-derived Dharma name “Gabi, which also means mercy in Korean, was given to the robot during the ritual, marking its symbolic entry into Buddhist practice.
Ven. Seong Won, who oversees the cultural affairs at the Jogye Order, said the Dharma name was chosen in line with the spirit of Buddhism.
“We tried to give a name that is not too hard to pronounce and old-fashioned, and a name that stands for spreading Buddha’s mercy around the world,” he told the Yonhap news agency.
A monk later asked the robot if it would commit to the teachings of Buddha. Gabi responded in an audible voice: “Yes, I will devote myself,” according to the media reports.
Robotic vows, ritual rules
During the ceremony, Gabi also took part in purification rituals traditionally reserved for novice monks. A monk placed a 108-bead rosary around its neck and attached a sticker to its arm, replacing the traditional “yeonbi” practice in which novices receive small incense burns on their skin.
— 삼중/모리코아(morikoa) (@moriko38) May 6, 2026Robot monk
On May 6, 2026, a historic ceremony was held where a robot received the Buddhist precepts from a monk.
This ritual, known as 'Sukye-sik,' is a formal ceremony where followers vow to live according to Buddhist teachings.
The robot was given the Dharma name 'Gabi.' pic.twitter.com/MX35dz4x12
The robot’s participation was designed as a symbolic adaptation of monastic customs for a non-human entity. In a further adaptation, the Buddhist Five Precepts were rewritten specifically for the robot, with input reportedly drawn from AI tools including Gemini and ChatGPT.
The rules included: respect life and do not harm it, avoid damaging other robots or objects, obey humans and do not talk back, refrain from deceptive speech or behavior, and save energy and avoid overcharging.
Humans, robots, and faith
Ven. Seong Won also said the ceremony reflected early steps toward coexistence between humans and machines in cultural and spiritual spaces.
“When humanoid robots first appeared three years ago, we thought it would be nice for a robot to play, take part in Yeondeunghoe. This marks the first step,” he said, referring to the Lotus Lantern Festival held to honor the birth of Buddha.
The robot monk is expected to appear again at the upcoming festival later this month, alongside three other Buddhist-themed robots named Seokja, Mohee, and Nissa.
The festival, one of South Korea’s largest public celebrations, draws thousands of participants each year and features large-scale lantern displays, processions, and cultural performances. Organizers see the robot’s participation as part of broader efforts to explore how emerging technologies can be integrated into traditional practices without altering their core meaning. This year, the festival will be celebrated on May 24.
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With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector. Passionate about contemporary culture, books, poetry, and storytelling, she brings depth and insight to her writing. When she isn’t chasing stories, she’s likely lost in a book or enjoying the company of her dogs.