An unlikely new disciple joined the Buddhist faith on Wednesday, as artificial intelligence intersects with spirituality in a first-of-its-kind way.
The humanoid robot, named Gabi, joined the Buddhist faith at Jogye Temple in Seoul,South Korea, marking a historic moment incelebrating the first robotic monkand its first debut ahead of the Buddha’s birthday.
Gabi led the monks in South Korea’s largest Buddhist sect as theychanted in a procession into the temple, which was decorated with paper lanterns strung across the roof.
The humanoid robot entered the Buddhist temple, matching the other monks in a ceremonial gray and brown robe, black shoes, a beaded rosary, and flesh-colored gloves. The robot also had a bald, skin-colored head.
Gabi, standing at roughly 4-feet 3-inches (1.3 meters), folded its hands in prayer and bowed to the monks officiating the ceremony.
"Will you devote yourself to the holy Buddha?" one of the monks asked, according toYonhap, a Korean news agency.
"Yes, I will devote myself," Gabi replied.
"Will you devote yourself to the holy teaching?" the monk asked.
"Yes, I will devote myself," Gabi answered.
The robot was given the Buddhist name Gabi, meaning "mercy" in Korean. During the ceremony, a monk presented Gabi with the five precepts, or vows, for the robot to live by, which included respecting life and not hurting it; not damaging other robots and objects; following humans and not talking back to them; not behaving or speaking in a deceptive manner; and saving energy and not overcharging.
Source: Drudge Report
