In a groundbreaking ceremony in South Korea, the Jogye Order has introduced Gabi, a robot monk, marking the first formal monastic initiation for a humanoid robot in the nation. As reported by The Korea Herald, this event took place at Jogyesa Temple on Wednesday, with Gabi participating alongside human monks in prayers leading up to Buddha’s Birthday celebrations later this month.
The G1 humanoid from Unitree Robotics stands 130 centimeters tall and was dressed in traditional Buddhist attire during the ceremony. Gabi underwent the “sugye” initiation ritual where it received a Dharma name, committing itself to the teachings of Buddhism and the monastic community. The Jogye Order modified the “yeonbi” purification ritual for Gabi, opting for a lotus lantern sticker and a 108-bead prayer necklace instead of the customary incense burns.
The Five Precepts were also tailored for Gabi by the order, including directives to safeguard life, prevent damage to robots or property, respect humans, avoid deceitful behavior, and conserve energy. In response, Gabi pledged its devotion: “Yes, I will devote myself.”
Gabi’s introduction at Jogye Temple in Seoul coincides with increasing global attention towards Unitree Robotics’ humanoids. Since its 2024 launch by Unitree Robotics in Hangzhou, China, the G1 has gained online prominence through viral demonstrations of its capabilities in dancing, running, and performing various tasks.
The burgeoning humanoid robotics sector is projected to reach $165.13 billion by 2034, as per Fortune Business Insights. In 2024, Tesla’s Elon Musk suggested that humanoid robots might outnumber humans by 2040.
“One objective is utilitarian in nature,” noted UC Berkeley Industrial Engineering Professor Ken Goldberg while speaking with Decrypt. “The current investments aim for these machines to be useful and compatible with human work.”
Gabi joins a rising list of religious robots in Asia, such as Nissei Eco’s Pepper robot performing Buddhist funeral ceremonies since 2017, Mindar at Kodaiji Temple offering sermons since 2019, and Buddharoid providing spiritual guidance using AI technology at Shoren-in Temple.
Hindu temples in India have also incorporated robotic arms to conduct aarti rituals. However, researchers studying robot clergy noted some resistance; a 2023 Scientific American study found that visitors to Kodaiji Temple were less inclined to donate after witnessing Mindar’s sermons and deemed it less credible than human monks.
“Robots are capable but may lack credibility,” the researchers concluded. “While they can deliver sermons, they do not truly comprehend the beliefs they express.”