Can Robots Receive the Five Precepts? Unusual Conferment Ceremony Held at Jogyesa Temple

A robot draped in a kasaya pressed its palms together in prayer. In response to the monk’s questions, it answered, "Yes, I will not." The robot also pledged to follow the 'Five Precepts for Robots,' which include not confronting people, not acting deceitfully, and not overcharging itself.

On the 6th, at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul, the humanoid robot G1 'Gabi' is seen pressing palms together in prayer with monks during a robot water offering ceremony. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

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On May 6, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism held a water ordination ceremony for the humanoid robot G1 in the courtyard in front of the Daeungjeon Hall at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul, ahead of Buddha’s Birthday and the Lotus Lantern Festival. The robot was given the Buddhist name "Gabi" and received a Buddhist ordination certificate. The ordination ceremony is a ritual in which one takes refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, and vows to observe the precepts as a Buddhist.

The event proceeded in a manner similar to the general layperson’s ordination process. The 130-centimeter-tall humanoid robot Gabi entered wearing a helmet reminiscent of a shaved head, along with a monk’s robe and kasaya. Gabi then pressed its palms together to greet the monks and followed the procedures for taking refuge and accepting the Five Precepts. The incense-burning ritual was symbolically performed by touching incense to the robot’s arm, after which a Lotus Lantern Festival sticker was attached and a 108-bead mala was placed around its neck.

On the 6th, at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul, the humanoid robot G1 "Gabi" joined its hands in a prayer gesture after completing the circumambulation with the monks during the robot water consecration ceremony. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

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The highlight of the day was the 'Five Precepts for Robots,' which were adapted from the human Five Precepts to suit robots. In Buddhism, the Five Precepts are: do not kill, do not take what is not given, refrain from improper sexual conduct, do not lie, and avoid intoxicants that cloud the mind. The Jogye Order reinterpreted these to fit the ethics of coexistence between robots and humans.

The Five Precepts that Gabi received are: to respect life and not cause harm; not to damage other robots or objects; to follow and respect humans; not to engage in deceitful behavior or expressions; and to conserve energy and not overcharge. When the monk asked Gabi about each precept, it replied, "Yes, I will not," to each question.

The ceremony was attended by Seongung, Director of General Affairs of the Jogye Order; Wonmyeong, Chief Monk of Jogyesa Temple; and Seongwon, Director of Culture of the Jogye Order. Seongwon explained the significance of the robot ordination ceremony, saying, "The purpose is to present the minimal norms that robots must observe as they live together in our society," adding, "I hope this becomes an opportunity for those who develop and program robots to use these basic precepts as a foundation for training and programming them."

On the 6th, at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul, the humanoid robot G1 "Gabi" is performing a circumbulation with monks during the robot water ritual. Photo by Yonhap News

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After completing its ordination, Gabi participated in a circumbulation of the pagoda along with the public in the Jogyesa Temple grounds. On May 16, four robots-including Gabi, Seokja, Mohui, and Nisa-are scheduled to join the Lotus Lantern Parade in the Jongno area.

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