Monks and nuns of Bhutan’s Central Monastic Body will soon have access to an innovative artificial intelligence-based chatbot designed to deepen their understanding of Buddhist teachings. Named BuddhaBot Plus, this AI-driven platform aims to provide comprehensive explanations of Buddhist principles in English, marking a significant step in integrating technology with spiritual learning.
Developed as part of a collaborative initiative between the Central Monastic Body, Kyoto University, and Japan’s Teraverse Co. Ltd., BuddhaBot Plus is an advanced generative AI trained on ancient Buddhist texts. By analyzing these scriptures, the chatbot generates high-quality responses that offer nuanced interpretations of Buddhist thought. The agreement for the pilot project was recently signed in Japan, formalizing the partnership between the institutions involved.
“This initiative presents an opportunity for monks and nuns to expand their knowledge of Buddhism while also contributing to the promotion of Buddha Dharma,” said Choten Dorji, Secretary of the Council for Administration and Development Affairs. He further explained that the chatbot will be tested over six months by students from institutions such as Tango Buddhist College and the Institute of Science of Mind before a broader implementation is considered.
The Central Monastic Body plans to work closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Skills Development to ensure a structured rollout. If successful, BuddhaBot Plus could become a staple resource for monastic education and potentially extend to secular communities in Bhutan and beyond.
Originally developed in 2021 by Kyoto University researchers, the first iteration of BuddhaBot was based on a Japanese translation of the Sutta Nipata, one of the oldest collections of the Buddha’s teachings. The AI was later enhanced using OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology, leading to the creation of BuddhaBot Plus. Following a request from the Central Monastic Body, an English version was finalized in 2023, making Bhutan the first country outside Japan to pilot its use.
Professor Seiji Kumagai, a co-developer of BuddhaBot Plus and a professor at Kyoto University, highlighted the chatbot’s potential in making Buddhist teachings more accessible. “Until now, BuddhaBot was available only in Japanese. By launching an English version, we are creating new ways for people to engage with Buddhist thought beyond traditional texts,” he said.
The AI has been designed to overcome previous limitations. While the original BuddhaBot could provide scriptures in their original form, it often struggled to offer clear, detailed explanations. BuddhaBot Plus addresses this by generating responses that maintain the authenticity of the Buddha’s teachings while providing deeper insights.
The potential impact of this AI-powered platform extends beyond religious education. Experts suggest that AI-generated interpretations of Buddhist philosophy could introduce fresh perspectives on ethical and philosophical debates. Furthermore, the technology could facilitate interfaith dialogue and be adapted for applications in management and economic analysis.
“By applying BuddhaBot’s algorithms to non-Buddhist texts, we can develop AI models that generate management advice or simulate interfaith discussions,” Professor Kumagai noted. “This could revolutionize how knowledge is shared across different fields.”
However, as with any AI-driven system, concerns surrounding data reliability, copyright issues, and the accuracy of information remain. To mitigate these risks, the development team ensures that BuddhaBot Plus derives its responses from authentic sources, adhering to ethical and legal considerations.
Looking ahead, researchers envision expanding AI applications to create interactive digital representations of historical philosophers and saints. “Our goal is to reproduce rich traditional knowledge in the digital space, making it more accessible to future generations,” Professor Kumagai added.
With approximately 200 monks set to trial BuddhaBot Plus, Bhutan’s experiment with AI in Buddhist education could set a precedent for integrating technology with spiritual learning worldwide. If the pilot program proves successful, a full-scale rollout is anticipated by 2027, with possible expansion to broader communities in the years to come.
