Robot Monk Joins Korean Buddhist Order

On Wednesday, a 51-inch robot was officially inducted into a brotherhood of Korean monks. The event, while unusual, carried a certain promotional flair, with the robot dressed in traditional robes and beads, taking an oath to the order.

A voice directed the robot to respond while clasping its hands together, and it complied. The robot was named “Gabi” during the initiation ceremony of the Korean Buddhist Joy Order, which has a history spanning over 1,200 years, manages around 1,700 temples, and has an impressive following of nearly 10 million.

The unveiling took place at about 10 a.m. in Daeungjeon Hall at Jogyesa Temple, where Gabi donned a traditional kasaya robe and participated in prayers celebrating Buddha’s birthday. The command echoed, “Robot monk, please answer with your palms together, ‘Yes, I will devote myself,'” to which Gabi seemingly replied, “Yes, I will do my best.”

This ritual, termed “suge,” is a formal pledge of devotion to the Buddha, his teachings, and the monastic community. However, rather than performing a traditional “yonbi” ceremony, which typically involves burning incense on a monk’s arm, the monks opted for a less destructive approach. They placed a Lotus Lantern Festival sticker on Gabi’s arm and adorned it with a rosary.

The rules governing this new robot monk were adjusted, too. Traditionally, the five precepts of Buddhism include refraining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, dishonesty, and using intoxicants. Now, the guidelines emphasize protecting life, avoiding harm to fellow monks and robots, respecting authority, conserving energy, and, notably, maintaining honesty.

Yet, it’s rather ironic that while South Korean monks embrace this robot, there’s concern about the potential risks posed by Chinese robots. The Unitree G1, for instance, is a sophisticated humanoid robot available to the public and comes with features that allow for remote control, raising eyebrows about its security implications. Congress has flagged this as a national security risk, especially given past revelations of backdoor access in some of these robotic systems.

It’s a curious development—one where devotion meets advanced technology and raises questions about the future of spirituality intertwined with robotics.