06.05.2026 22:00
South Korea's pioneering role in the technology world has now extended to places of worship. In a ceremony held at the Jogye Temple in the capital Seoul, the country's first robot Buddhist monk, "Gabi," was introduced to the public. The 130-centimeter-tall humanoid robot, appearing on stage in a traditional robe ahead of Buddha's birthday celebrations, successfully performed religious rituals and drew the attention of attendees.
South Korea's first humanoid robot monk was introduced at Jogye Temple in the capital Seoul ahead of Buddha's birthday celebrations. Named "Gabi," the robot vowed to devote itself to Buddhism during a ceremony, sparking new debates about the intersection of technology and religion in the country.
DRESSED IN TRADITIONAL BUDDHIST ROBES
Standing approximately 130 centimeters tall, Gabi was seen wearing traditional gray-brown Buddhist monk robes. During the ceremony, the robot stood before monks, made greeting gestures, and performed behaviors resembling religious rituals. Visitors attending the temple ceremony showed intense interest in the robot monk.
AIM IS TO INCREASE YOUNG GENERATION'S INTEREST
Temple officials stated that the project aims to boost interest in Buddhism, especially among younger generations. In recent years, religious institutions in South Korea have begun using digital technologies more actively, while AI-powered applications and robotic systems have become more visible in worship spaces.
"TECHNOLOGY AND SPIRITUALITY UNITE" COMMENT
The introduction of the robot monk sparked widespread reactions on social media, with some users describing the development as "the meeting of technology and spirituality." Others argued that the ethical dimensions of using robots in religious rituals should be discussed.
South Korea is among the world's leading countries in investments in robotic technologies and artificial intelligence. The country had previously begun using humanoid robots in areas such as elderly care services, education, and customer service.