Robot monks lead South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival

Humanoid robot monks joined South Korea’s annual Lotus Lantern Festival in Seoul, leading the parade ahead of celebrations for Buddha’s birthday. Festivalgoers praised the mix of tradition and technology at the UNESCO-recognized cultural event.

Reuters

17 May 2026 at 09:11:43

A girl carrying a lantern takes part in a Lotus Lantern parade ahead of Vesak Day, the birthday of Buddha, in Seoul, South Korea, May 16, 2026.

Kim Soo-hyeon/Reuters

Humanoid robots that have become Buddhist monks in South Korea led the annual Lotus Lantern Festival on Saturday (May 16), which celebrates the upcoming birthday of the Buddha.

Robot monk 'Gabi,' who debuted as a monk at a Buddhist initiation ceremony earlier this month, marched through the streets of Seoul alongside fellow robot monks 'Seokja,' 'Mohee,' and 'Nisa' for about 40 minutes.

The 130-centimetre-tall (4.265 feet) robot monks, dressed in traditional gray-and-brown robes, were seen waving to the crowd and pressing their palms together during the parade.

Participants of the festival were fascinated by the new robot monks.

"Seeing Buddhism embrace this kind of new technology made me think that it's truly a very tolerant religion,' said 31-year-old Seoul resident Min-Joo.

Yeon Deung Hoe, South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival, was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020.

Production: Daewoung Kim, Minwoo Park/Reuters