Robot Monks at the 2026 Lotus Lantern Parade: What Happened in Seoul

Robot Monks became the standout sight of Seoul’s 2026 Lotus Lantern Parade, with Gabi and other humanoid robots appearing at the head of the procession. The parade took place on May 16, 2026, running through central Seoul as part of the annual Yeondeunghoe program held around Jongno, Jogyesa, Ujeongguk-ro, and nearby streets.¹

For readers trying to understand what happened, the key point is simple: this was not a separate robotics show. The robot monks were placed inside one of Korea’s best-known Buddhist cultural events, where their role was tied to a message of coexistence between humans and robots, peace, and mutual flourishing.²

What the Robot Monks Did in the Parade

The May 16 lantern procession began at Heunginjimun and continued through central Jongno toward Jogyesa, with the main parade scheduled from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.³ The robot monks appeared at the front of the procession, giving them high visibility before crowds gathered along the route.

The group included the humanoid robot Gabi, which had already drawn public attention after receiving Buddhist precepts at Jogyesa earlier in May. The Korea Economic Daily reported that a humanoid robot G1 received the Buddhist name Gabi at Jogyesa on May 6, 2026, and was expected to serve around Buddha’s Birthday as an honorary monk.⁴

The Fact reported that four humanoid robot monks, identified as Seokja, Nisa, Mohui, and Gabi, were seen near Heunginjimun waving to citizens while wearing monastic robes and joining their palms.⁵ News1 also reported that four humanoid robots and two autonomous driving robots were planned to move from Heunginjimun to Tapgol Park for about 40 minutes during the procession.⁶

For visitors or viewers following the story afterward, the robot monks are best understood as a symbolic lead element of the lantern parade rather than a replacement for the human participants. Reports described Buddhist followers and citizens carrying lanterns, with YTN reporting that about 50,000 people took part in the May 16 procession.²

How the Robot Monks Fit Into Yeondeunghoe

Yeondeunghoe is not a newly created event. Seoul Metropolitan Government described it as a traditional cultural festival that has continued for about 1,200 years, was designated National Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 122 in 2012, and was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020.¹

That background matters because the robot monks were not presented in an empty technology setting. They appeared within a long-running lantern festival built around Buddhist culture, civic participation, and public procession. The contrast between ancient ritual form and advanced robotics is what made the 2026 appearance distinctive.

The reported message attached to the robot monks was also specific. YTN described their participation as communicating peace and coexistence through the idea of humans and robots living together.² At Gabi’s earlier precepts ceremony, Seongung Sunim was quoted as saying that Buddha-nature exists in all sentient and non-sentient things, and that “robots are no different.”⁴ Seongwon Sunim was also quoted as saying the rules should be observed as a basic discipline for humans and robots living together.⁴

A public reaction quoted by YTN captured the practical reason many people noticed the moment. Park Mi-nam said that because it is an advanced era, she hoped Buddhism could use it as an opportunity to develop further.² That comment points to the event’s broader public meaning: the robots were eye-catching, but the discussion around them was about how tradition might respond to technological change.

What to Know if You Missed the 2026 Appearance

Because the current date is May 18, 2026, the May 16 main lantern parade has already taken place. Reports also noted that related Yeondeunghoe programming continued on May 17, including traditional culture events on the road in front of Jogyesa and an EDM performance.²

The core route for the robot monks’ public appearance was connected to the main May 16 procession. YTN reported the parade route from Heunginjimun through Jonggak to Jogyesa, while other coverage highlighted the early section from Heunginjimun toward Tapgol Park for the robot movement.³⁶ If you are comparing reports, that means the full parade route and the robot segment should not be treated as exactly the same thing.

The participation scale also varies depending on which part of the event is being described. Seoul’s official notice described the representative lantern parade as involving more than 60 groups and about 20,000 citizens.¹ Event coverage after or around the parade reported about 50,000 participants or people taking part with handmade lanterns.²⁵ For a practical reading, use the official number for the planned representative parade notice and the larger figure for press descriptions of the broader crowd and participation reported around the event.

작성자 소개

Patrick Choi

Administrator

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