Obviously some PR stunt. But why and who’s benefiting? Are they targeting religious people in Asia to be more accepting of robots?
The latest?
So like, do the people around the robot actually believe it’s religious?
Because this is the kind of thing that you’d think would deeply insult people who actually believe in their religion, acting like a robot can be religious completely defeats the point, it’s no different than putting a parrot on a podium and declaring them the new priest, as they screech their way through something that vaguely resembles a sermon.I don’t see how people can actually believe their religion is true, yet tolerate this absolute nonsense!
Buddhism is not a religion in that sense. It’s different. It’s a philosophy and a method to relieve sentient beings from suffering.
Right, but a robot obviously isn’t sentient, so… Why are they calling it Buddhist? Are they going to dress up a laptop next? Maybe some power tools, or a car?
It’s just so utterly incompatible with the vast majority of supernatural beliefs, and it’s just another piece of evidence that makes me doubt that most people actually believe this stuff, because they don’t act like they genuinely believe it. They act like they’re doing things to be part of a group.
I genuinely feel that this deserves a proper answer. I will try to keep this short, but I’m afraid it will result in a wall of text anyway. Sorry about that.
First I feel I must position myself and explain where I come from here. I am a buddhist monk for over ten years now. I’m not a monastic monk, I do not live in a monastery at this time, that may or may not change with time. I’m also not a monk of the buddhist school that the article is talking about, my background is different.
Generally speaking however, I would like to raise some points with regards to this.
Firstly buddhism is not centered around supernatural beliefs. Buddhas in most sects are not considered supernatural or god-like beings. They are revered and honored as philosophists and teachers posessing deep understanding and compassion, no more.
Secondly, like I said belief is not what buddhism is about, it is categorically not a belief-system. It’s more a study of the nature of reality, but granted that sounds a bit more “festive” than I’d like to. So no, people don’t actually “believe” this stuff, belief is quite simply not what it’s about.
Thirdly you point out that people seem to be doing this to be part of the group. That is the way that buddhism actually is religion. The word religion stems from the latin word “religere”, to bring together, to connect, to gather with intention, to consider attentively. It has a sense of reconnecting, reflecting, or re-examining something in a thoughtful or reverent way. This (narrow, if you like) meaning does not imply that there is anything to believe in. It’s simply a group of people joining to ponder around similar themes and questions. My own teacher has a habit of saying that you can meditate alone, but buddhism happens in a group. So you’re absolutely right that people are doing this to be a part of a group. That is very much what buddhist practice is about. This however in no way diminishes the value of it. Being part of a group that uses vast amounts of time (thousands and thousands of thinkers for almost 3000 years) to ponder philosophical and existential questions is, to me, immensely valuable.
Fourthly I think some people are taking religions far far too seriously. In general buddhists are not in the habit of being butt hurt or insulted in well-meaning humorous approaches to what we do. We encourage it. I can very well see that this would not happen in most of the worlds religions, but there are no unresolvable conflicts between buddhism and robots/AI as such. As for whether they are or have the capability to be conscious or sentient needs another wall of text, so I will not get into that right now.
Robots don’t have material wants or desires, and so already have achieved enlightenment. They are inherently vacuously Buddhist.
Actually no, because they are no more sentient than a rock. Samsara is about living beings and how to end suffering
That’s racist! /s
I don’t know really. They are not intelligent, that is sure, but whether they are conscious is another thing entirely. What is consciousness? Best bow to your robot vacuum when it finishes. Just to be on a safe side. The fact that we are not aware of its suffering doesn’t mean that suffering isn’t there ;)
Low battery is probably as close to physical suffering as a robot could experience. Especially if the motors start to draw the voltage very low. That would drive up amperage as the motors start bogged, heating up wires, potentially tripping circuit breakers and probably sending warnings as servos and motor drivers often monitor the currents draw to act as limit switches and safety measures.
Programmers have also essentially tied battery levels to “anxiety” in robots, to ensure they prioritize charging when needed.
Most of human suffering isn’t physical either.
XD
It would be easy for the robot to achieve that heavenly state. It just need to brick itself out of existence.
This is stupid.
Robots don’t have free will or reasoning ability, so joining a religion seems like a good match.
You had me at the first sentence.
I agree 100%
But women can’t be monks?
Praise the Omnissiah!
Imagine praying with a robot.
I’d rather be reciting with them.
kanzeeeeon, naa muu butsu, yoo butsu uuu in, yoo butsu uuu en, buppoo soo en, joo raku gaa joo, choonen kanzeeon, boonen kanzeeon, nen nen juu shin kii, nen nen fuu rii shin
Enmei jukku kannon gyo would probably sound cool with robotic voice. Different school, I know, but still.
Give me strength
It replays each of the days
A hundred years of routines
Bows its head and prays
To the mother of all machines…Rush
The Body ElectricAll of these dumb and weird robots… going to have to make a YT video on the topic. :)
In Pratchett’s and Baxter’s long earth the first sentient Ai claims to be a reborn monk. That way he claims human rights which makes if illegal to deactivate him.
Remembered me a little of this.
