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South Korea Performs First Robot Ordination, Gabi Receives Buddhist Precepts

5/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

South Korea performed its first robot ordination, granting humanoid robot Gabi Buddhist precepts at Jogye Temple in Seoul.
Monks placed a 108-bead rosary on Gabi and used a sticker for the burn.
Gabi received five modified precepts—respect life, avoid harming other robots, follow human guidance, avoid deception, and save energy.
Ven. Seong Won said the ordination explores human-robot coexistence and that Gabi will appear at Yeondeunghoe lantern festival this month.

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Story summary

South Korea performed its first robot ordination, granting humanoid robot Gabi Buddhist precepts at Jogye Temple in Seoul.
Monks placed a 108-bead rosary on Gabi and used a sticker for the burn.
Gabi received five modified precepts—respect life, avoid harming other robots, follow human guidance, avoid deception, and save energy.
Ven. Seong Won said the ordination explores human-robot coexistence and that Gabi will appear at Yeondeunghoe lantern festival this month.