A robot monk named Gabi participated in a prayer ceremony celebrating Buddha’s birthday at the Jogye Temple in central Seoul, marking a significant step towards human-robot coexistence.
The 1.3-meter tall robot was dressed in traditional Buddhist attire and expressed its commitment to Buddhism during the ceremony, receiving the name “Gabi” along with traditional prayer beads.
Following this, Gabi was presented with a set of five precepts tailored for robots: to respect life and avoid harm, not to damage other robots or objects, to obey humans and refrain from arguing, to communicate truthfully, and to conserve energy without overcharging.
In his welcoming address, Reverend Seon Won expressed hope that the event would help society learn to coexist with robots. He remarked, “At this stage, it may seem somewhat unusual… but we hope these five precepts will be seen as fundamental principles not only for Buddhists but for a society that will coexist with robots.”
Gabi is scheduled to participate in an upcoming lantern festival later this month alongside three other Buddhist robots: Sokcha, Mohee, and Nisa.
The participation of robot monk Gabi in a Buddha's birthday ceremony at Jogye Temple highlights an innovative approach to integrating technology in spiritual practices. This event aims to foster understanding and coexistence between humans and robots.
Source: Yonhap