WHEN ROBOTS WEAR YELLOW ROBES: AN ETHICAL ANALYSIS AND IMPACTS ON BUDDHIST FAITH IN THE AGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Abstract

This academic article provided a critical analysis of the status of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the role of spiritual leadership, examined through the concept of the "Garbi" (Yellow-Robed Robot). The study aimed to highlight the risk of shifting faith which should be grounded in enlightenment into a mere byproduct of data management. If faith remained tethered to outward appearances and algorithms designed to satisfy personal preferences, a dilemma arises: while AI possesses the supreme capacity to transmit truth devoid of "bias" and "defilements," it simultaneously lacked the "moral intention" and "consciousness" that are fundamental to the journey toward liberation in Buddhist practice. The integration of AI into monastic affairs posed a significant risk of transforming the Dhamma into "processed data" tailored to user expectations, potentially leading to the manipulation of belief rather than opening a path to true awakening. Conversely, AI could function as a medium for propagating the Dhamma that was free from distortions driven by the "ego" of its creators or users, provided that it maintains the rigor of the truth. Ultimately, the most critical imperative was to prioritize wisdom over technology. In an era where machines can flawlessly replicate monastic forms, the Buddhist community must diligently cultivate “wisdom” to remain vigilant, ensuring that faith is not intercepted by data management techniques that cause one to abandon the essential core of liberation.