A humanoid robot in ceremonial robes stood shoulder to shoulder with Buddhist monks in central Seoul this week, bowing in prayer and reciting vows before a packed temple courtyard. What made the scene remarkable was not the ritual itself, but the fact the newest 'monk' was powered by motors, remote controls and prerecorded audio.
The robot, named Gabi,has become South Korea's first honorary Buddhist monk after an ordination ceremony staged by the Jogye Order, the country's largest Buddhist sect, ahead of Buddha's Birthday celebrations later this month.
Standing roughly 130 centimetres tall,a G1 robot developed by Unitree Robotics, Gabi entered Jogyesa Temple in Seoul wearing traditional grey and brown robes, black shoes and a 108-bead prayer necklace. During the 'sugye' initiation rite, monks asked the robot whether it would devote itself to the Buddha and Buddhist teachings. Gabi responded in a calm electronic voice, hands pressed together in prayer.
Will you devote yourself to the holy Buddha?'asked one of the monks.
'Yes, I will devote myself,' Gabi said.
'Will you devote yourself to the holy teaching?' the monk asked.
'Yes, I will devote myself,' Gabi answered.
The ceremony marked the first known case in South Korea of a humanoid robot formally participating in a Buddhist ordination ritual.
A post shared by 대한불교조계종 (@jogyeorder)
The Jogye Order has made little secret of its desire to modernise its image. Buddhism, introduced to Korea in the fourth century, has struggled to maintain the cultural influence it once held as younger South Koreans drift away from organised religion altogether.
Source: International Business Times UK
