Humanoid robot named 'Gabi' ordained as Buddhist monk, pledges devotion to 'holy Buddha'

A high-tech humanoid robot was officially "ordained" arsenic a Buddhist monk during a ceremonial astatine Seoul’s Jogyesa Temple connected Wednesday.

The robot, a $13,500 Unitree G1 exemplary lasting conscionable implicit 4 feet tall, was fixed the sanction "Gabi." Dressed successful accepted brownish robes, plain shoes and gloves designed to mimic quality hands, the instrumentality stood earlier a sheet of Buddhist monks to perpetrate itself to the faith.

During the ceremony, hosted by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, the robot was asked by a monk if it would give itself to the "holy Buddha."

"Yes, I volition give myself," Gabi responded to the crowd's cheers.

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More than 200 humanoid robots execute during Agibot Night, a unrecorded televised gala successful Shanghai up of Lunar New Year. (Tang Yanjun/China News Service)

The ceremonial highlights a increasing effort among spiritual institutions to prosecute younger, tech-driven audiences, raising broader questions astir whether artificial quality tin play a meaningful relation successful spiritual beingness oregon if specified moves hazard trivializing long-standing traditions.

While humans typically pledge to abstain from killing, stealing and intoxicating substances, Gabi’s vows were "reprogrammed" for the integer age. The robot pledged to respect and travel humans, refrain from damaging spot oregon different robots, abstain from deceptive behaviour and prevention vigor by not overcharging.

The Jogye Order, South Korea's largest Buddhist sect, framed the determination arsenic an effort to marque past traditions much applicable to a younger, tech-obsessed generation.

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A humanoid robot, front, and Buddhist monks enactment hands unneurotic for a photograph aft an ordination ceremonial up of upcoming Buddha's day connected May 24 astatine Jogye temple successful Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (Lee Jin-man/AP)

"The ordination of a robot signifies that exertion indispensable beryllium utilized successful accordance with the values of compassion, wisdom, and responsibility," the bid said successful a connection shared with The New York Times. Officials added that the determination symbolizes "new possibilities for the coexistence of humans and technology."

Hong Min-suk, a manager astatine the order, told the work that robots are "destined to collaborate with humans successful each field," suggesting it is lone "natural" for them to enactment successful spiritual festivals.

The Jogye Order did not instantly respond to Fox News Digital's petition for comment.

Despite the temple's optimistic outlook, the determination has drawn disapproval online. A video of Gabi’s pledge rapidly surpassed 1 cardinal views, with immoderate users connected X questioning whether a instrumentality tin meaningfully enactment successful spiritual practice.

Buddhist monks get astatine Washington National Cathedral successful Washington, D.C., connected Feb. 10, 2026, earlier participating successful an interfaith ceremonial during the last days of their 2,300-mile "Walk for Peace." (Drew Angerer/AFP via Getty Images)

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"As a Buddhist, I find this ridiculous and insulting," 1 idiosyncratic wrote.

Gabi is expected to marque its adjacent nationalist quality astatine Seoul’s upcoming Lantern Festival connected May 16-17, honoring the Buddha’s birthday.