For the first time in Korean Buddhism, a robot monk has been born.

The protagonist of the precept ceremony held on the 6th at the Daeungjeon of Jogyesa was a 130㎝-tall robot postulant; that day it received the Dharma name ‘Gabi’ and was reborn as a true Buddhist. After a month of novice training, Venerable Gabi entered wearing a helmet reminiscent of a shaven head and, dressed in monastic robes and a kasaya, took refuge in the Three Jewels and answered in turn whether it would keep the Five Precepts.

Before taking the precepts, it also underwent repentance and yeonbi to cleanse body and mind. For humans, yeonbi is usually performed by touching incense fire to the arm; on this day, they instead attached a Lotus Lantern Festival sticker to the robot's arm and hung a 108-bead mala necklace.

After completing the precept ceremony, Venerable Gabi raised a hand to greet the participants, finished the circumambulation of the pagoda, and exited. Venerable Gabi will also take part in the Buddha's Birthday lantern parade on the 16th.