South Korea deploys bipedal robot as monk in Seoul Buddhist temple

A bipedal robot was ordained as a monk in a Buddhist temple in Seoul, marking a world first in merging technology with religious practice.

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The artificial monk is tasked with ritual duties and surveillance within the sanctuary.

The initiative sparks debate over automation's growing presence in traditional and spiritual spaces.

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Auto-synthesis from 2 media sources · identified on May 9, 2026