Japanese company unveils robot priest that can read scriptures at funerals

Record ID: 907353

  • Title: Japanese company unveils robot priest that can read scriptures at funerals
  • Date: 23rd August 2017
  • Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (AUGUST 23, 2017) (REUTERS) ROBOT "PEPPER" TAPPING WOODEN DRUM SHAPED LIKE A FISH WITH DRUMSTICK PEPPER'S HEAD PEPPER READING BUDDHIST SCRIPTURE, OR SUTRA, WHILE PERFORMING TRADITIONAL DRUM RITUAL BUDDHIST MONK LOOKING AT PEPPER BUDDHIST MONK SITTING BEHIND PEPPER WHILE PEPPER READS SUTRA PEPPER CARRYING OUT BUDDHIST RITUAL PEPPER PLAYING WOODEN DRUM AFTER HITTING A GONG MONITOR ON PEPPER WITH BUDDHIST CHANTS DISPLAYED (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) EXECUTIVE ADVISER OF COMPANY WHO HAS PROGRAMMED ROBOT PRIEST, NISSEIECO CO., LTD., MICHIO INAMURA, SAYING: "The amount of families affiliated to a temple and donating money to priests are in decline especially in the countryside, and the priests' livelihoods have been affected. Many priests have begun taking up part-time jobs in order to get by, but that means that they do not have time to read the sutra to Buddha in the morning and at night. So we thought that Pepper could fill that role of worship." PEPPER READING SUTRA WHILE MONK, TETSUGI MATSUO, WATCHES FROM BEHIND (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) BUDDHIST MONK, TETSUGI MATSUO, SAYING: "The ultimate criteria is whether or not we are able to impart the spiritual aspect (of religion) to a machine because I believe that the spirit is the foundation of religion. I am here because I wanted to observe whether or not Pepper is able to embody that." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE LOOKING AT PEPPER PEPPER READING SUTRA (SOUNDBITE) (English) EXPO VISITOR AND RESEARCHER AT JAPAN FOUNDATION, HANNAH GOULD, SAYING: "I think for foreigners it might seem weird to have robots involved in something so religious, because in Christianity at least, technology and religion are often opposed to one another. But in Japan technology and religion have been evolving together for a very long time. I mean, when you think about it, a book is technology. So a robot is just more evolved in the technological evolution for religion." PEPPER READING SUTRA (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) EXPO VISITOR AND PROFESSIONAL MASSEUR, TOMOHIRO MORITA, SAYING: "I was incredibly shocked to see that a robot could take over a funeral, something considered very difficult to carry out even for a human being." BUDDHIST MONK AND PEPPER FACING MAKESHIFT ALTAR PEPPER FACING MAKESHIFT ALTAR PEOPLE WALKING THROUGH FUNERAL AND CEMETERY INDUSTRY EXPO HALL VARIOUS OF CASKETS ON DISPLAY FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS ON DISPLAY EXHIBITOR TALKING TO VISITOR
  • Embargoed: 6th September 2017 09:28
  • Keywords: robot funeral buddhism priests sutras monk ceremony
  • Location: TOKYO, JAPAN
  • City: TOKYO, JAPAN
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Human Interest / Brights / Odd News,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA0016VDMZX5
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Japanese company Nisseieco Co., Ltd. on Wednesday (August 23) unveiled a 'robot priest' they have programmed to help with tasks at Buddhist temples, including the reading of Buddhist scripture during funeral ceremonies.
    The humanoid robot named "Pepper", designed by Japanese telecommunications company Softbank, was seen in action wearing a Buddhist robe chanting sutras at Japan's largest funeral and cemetery expo.
    Michio Inamura, the company's executive adviser, said the robot would be able to fulfill religious duties that are increasingly neglected in society, as donations to, as well as people affiliated with temples is in decline in the country.
    He added that a robot would be a cheaper option for families, costing just 50,000 yen ($457) per funeral compared to the typical cost of more than 240,000 yen ($2,194) per funeral for a human priest.
    Although the display attracted plenty of visitors, some expressed doubt that a robot could fulfil religious tasks. One priest said he was there to observe whether or not Pepper was able to "embody" the spiritual foundation of religion.
    Pepper will be on display at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center from August 23 to 25.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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