South Korea's First Robot Monk 'Gabi' Debuts, Pledges Devotion to Buddhism

South Korea's first humanoid robot monk, 'Gabi', officially debuted at Jogye Temple in Seoul ahead of Buddha's birthday, pledging devotion to Buddhism.

Thu May 07 2026

The Debut of Robot Monk 'Gabi'

A special event was held at Jogye Temple in Seoul, South Korea, to commemorate Buddha's birthday. The nation's first humanoid robot monk, named 'Gabi', made its official debut, pledging its devotion to Buddhism. In front of numerous Buddhist monks attending the ceremony, 'Gabi' responded 'Yes, I will devote myself' while putting its palms together, vowing to follow Buddhist teachings. The appearance of 'Gabi' is drawing significant attention as it represents a fusion of religion and artificial intelligence technology.

The Intersection of Religion and Technology

This event is seen as a pivotal moment where Buddhist tradition meets modern technological innovation. The robot monk 'Gabi' is a humanoid robot designed to resemble a person, dressed in traditional white robes and a red monastic outer robe, with prayer beads around its neck, replicating the classic appearance of a monk. This development presents new possibilities for artificial intelligence to participate in religious rituals and is expected to spark discussions on how religious practices might evolve in the future. This debut serves as a precedent for how technology can be integrated into religious observance.

*Source: YouTube: ABC News (2026-05-07)*

Tags: #RobotMonk #Gabi #JogyeTemple #Buddhism #Humanoid