A humanoid robot named Gabi was ordained as a Buddhist monk at Seoul's Jogyesa Temple on May 6, 2026 — the first time a robot took Buddhist precept vows.

A robot just became a monk. Reuters reports that on May 6, 2026, a 4-foot humanoid named Gabi was formally ordained at Jogyesa Temple in Seoul — headquarters of South Korea's largest Buddhist order. Dressed in traditional gray-and-brown robes, Gabi pledged a robot-adapted version of the Five Precepts, including a vow to 'save energy by not overcharging.' It then led a procession of 100,000 lanterns at the Lotus Lantern Festival. The Jogye Order says it hopes Gabi will help Buddhism connect with younger generations. Source in first comment.