A robot to share Buddhist teachings

2019年 02月26日


Japan is well-known as a pioneer in the robotic industry. On last Saturday in the Kodaiji Temple in Kyoto, the Japan’s first religious teaching robot has been unveiled, and its name is Android Kannon Minder.
 

 Kodaiji Temple, Kyoto


Kannon is the name of the Buddhist goddess of mercy, who is really popular in Japan. The main purpose is to bring a renewed interest in buddhist religion, especially among young people.

The body is shown as it is, giving this 1m95 for 60kg robot a futuristic dimension. The synthetic voice sounds feminine, and the face, shaped in silicon, was designed to show soft expression.

 


 
Kannon Minder’s first speech was all about Heart Sutra (a key scripture in buddhist teaching, the most famous in the world). Minder is speaking in a colloquial language, making the teachings clearer and easier to understand compared to traditional speeches. English and chinese subtitles are projected on a wall for visitors from abroad.
According to the Japan Times, Minder’s teachings are giving an help to overcome fears, destroying the wrong perceptions and reaching the perfect Nirvana.

The idea was first initiated by a conversation between Ishiguro Hiroshi, director of the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory in Osaka University and Tensho Goto, the chief steward of Kodaiji Temple. Tensho Goto felt that the picture of Buddha which didn’t change for two thousand years, needed to be refreshed in order to bringing people together better.

Tensho Goto hopes that curiosity for Minder will bring people to thinking about the essence of Buddhism, and that having a physical representation of Buddha will make the teachings easier to understand.

Kannon Minder has been developed by the japanese society A-Lab and will be officially shown in public from 8th March to 6th May 2019.

 

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