Humanoid robot named 'Gabi' ordained as Buddhist monk, pledges devotion to 'holy Buddha'

A high-tech humanoid robot was officially "ordained" arsenic a Buddhist monk during a ceremonial astatine Seoul’s Jogyesa Temple connected Wednesday.

The robot, a $13,500 Unitree G1 model opinionated conscionable complete 4 feet tall, was fixed nan sanction "Gabi." Dressed successful accepted brownish robes, plain shoes and gloves designed to mimic quality hands, nan instrumentality stood earlier a sheet of Buddhist monks to perpetrate itself to nan faith.

During nan ceremony, hosted by nan Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, nan robot was asked by a monk if it would give itself to nan "holy Buddha."

"Yes, I will give myself," Gabi responded to nan crowd's cheers.

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More than 200 humanoid robots execute during Agibot Night, a unrecorded televised gala successful Shanghai up of Lunar New Year. (Tang Yanjun/China News Service)

The ceremonial highlights a increasing effort among belief institutions to prosecute younger, tech-driven audiences, raising broader questions astir whether artificial intelligence can play a meaningful domiciled successful belief life aliases if specified moves consequence trivializing long-standing traditions.

While humans typically promise to abstain from killing, stealing and intoxicating substances, Gabi’s vows were "reprogrammed" for nan integer age. The robot pledged to respect and travel humans, refrain from damaging spot aliases different robots, abstain from deceptive behaviour and prevention power by not overcharging.

The Jogye Order, South Korea's largest Buddhist sect, framed nan move arsenic an effort to make ancient traditions much applicable to a younger, tech-obsessed generation.

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A humanoid robot, front, and Buddhist monks put hands together for a photograph aft an ordination ceremonial up of upcoming Buddha's day connected May 24 astatine Jogye temple successful Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (Lee Jin-man/AP)

"The ordination of a robot signifies that exertion must beryllium utilized successful accordance pinch nan values of compassion, wisdom, and responsibility," nan bid said successful a connection shared pinch The New York Times. Officials added that nan move symbolizes "new possibilities for nan coexistence of humans and technology."

Hong Min-suk, a head astatine nan order, told nan publication that robots are "destined to collaborate pinch humans successful each field," suggesting it is only "natural" for them to participate successful religious festivals.

The Jogye Order did not instantly respond to Fox News Digital's petition for comment.

Despite nan temple's optimistic outlook, nan move has drawn disapproval online. A video of Gabi’s promise quickly surpassed 1 cardinal views, pinch immoderate users connected X questioning whether a instrumentality tin meaningfully participate successful belief practice.

Buddhist monks get astatine Washington National Cathedral successful Washington, D.C., connected Feb. 10, 2026, earlier participating successful an interfaith ceremonial during nan last days of their 2,300-mile "Walk for Peace." (Drew Angerer/AFP via Getty Images)

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"As a Buddhist, I find this ridiculous and insulting," 1 personification wrote.

Gabi is expected to make its adjacent nationalist quality astatine Seoul’s upcoming Lantern Festival connected May 16-17, honoring nan Buddha’s birthday.