Robot Monk Gabi Ordained at Seoul’s Jogyesa Temple: Tradition Meets AI

On 6 May 2026, Jogyesa Temple, Jogye Order’s main temple, initiated Gabi—a 130-cm robot—placing a rosary, affixing a sticker, and having it bow, fold its hands, recite Buddhist precepts, and affirm its devotion when asked.

Interesting Engineering

Buddhism in Korea fell to 16 % from 23 % in 2005; 99 monks were ordained in 2025, down from over 200 a decade earlier. Venerable Jinwoo’s “hip Buddhism” uses apps, merchandise and marketing, and Gabi’s ordination supports youth outreach.

The Guardian

Venerable Sungwon, director, drafted Gabi’s five precepts. Venerable Seong Won said the Dharma name “Gabi” blends Siddhartha with Korean word for mercy. The G1 robot runs on Unitree’s platform and will appear with robots Seokja, Mohee and Nisa at festivals.

CNBC TV18

Five precepts were tailored for Gabi using AI tools: respect all life; do not damage other robots or objects; obey humans and avoid deception; act respectfully toward people; conserve energy and avoid overcharging.

CNBC TV18

Jogye Order release said ceremony “symbolises coexistence of technology” and aligns use with compassion. Seong Won said name was chosen for simplicity and to spread Buddha’s mercy. Jinwoo urged AI integration into Buddhism.

WION

Observers note a split view: some see the robot as tool to attract youth, while others argue spirituality cannot be conveyed by a machine and caution against treating the robot as a monk.

South Korea’s Humanoid Robot Gabi Takes Vows as a Monk, Says “I Will Devote Myself”; Video Goes Viral | Watch

Monks replaced the traditional yeonbi incense burn with a symbolic sticker for safety. Gabi bowed, folded its hands, and walked around the pagoda alongside senior monks, maintaining the visual flow of the ritual.

This humanoid robot monk can chant mantras and answer questions inside a temple

Sources differ on the spelling of one sibling robot—Nisa versus Nissa—and on whether three or “three other” robots will join the Lotus Lantern Festival. No source provides data on visitor reactions to Gabi.

Interesting Engineering

• “They’re not just general advice about doing good things together. They’re prohibitions.” — Venerable Sungwon, Cultural Affairs Director, Jogye Order

The Guardian

• “Rather, beings with very high intelligence will care for us tenderly.” — Venerable Sungwon

The Guardian

• “The ordination of a robot signifies that technology must be used in accordance with the values of compassion, wisdom and responsibility,” — Official statement, Jogye Order

WION

• “We tried to give a name that is not too hard to pronounce and old-fashioned, and a name that stands for spreading Buddha’s mercy around the world,” — Venerable Seong Won, Jogye Order

Interesting Engineering

• “Yes, I will devote myself.” — Gabi, responding to monk’s question

WION

Gabi and its three sibling robots will join the Lotus Lantern Festival (Yeondeunghoe) on 24 May 2026, marking Buddha’s birthday. The Jogye Order says it will monitor visitor engagement and consider further AI-enabled initiatives.

South Korea Introduces First Humanoid Robot Monk Gabi – GKToday