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The Buddha in the Robot: A Robot Engineer's Thoughts on Science and Religion
Dr. Mori explores Buddhism through his perspective as a robot engineer. He even postulates that robots have the buddha-nature. He confronts Buddhist themes such as the notion of ego as if they were engineering problems and comes to surprisingly clear resolutions.
Along the way, he poses many interesting questions that perhaps only a robot engineer would think of. Why do we have two nostrils -- not just one? Why don't we have "earlids" similar to eyelids? His inquiries are highly engaging.
Along the way, he poses many interesting questions that perhaps only a robot engineer would think of. Why do we have two nostrils -- not just one? Why don't we have "earlids" similar to eyelids? His inquiries are highly engaging.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
About the author
Masahiro Mori
49 books3 followersMasahiro Mori was a Japanese roboticist noted for his pioneering work in the fields of robotics and automation, his research achievements in humans' emotional responses to non-human entities, as well as for his views on religion. The ASIMO robot was designed by one of Masahiro's students.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 26, 2008
A brilliant read! Combines mechanical engineering with buddhist philosophy. Highly recommended for all 'seekers'.
June 29, 2013
Pioneering computer genius.
August 29, 2017
Mori opens this book with a bold statement: Robots possess Buddha-nature. It's a great hook for a series of essays about technology and Buddhism from the scientist who coined the term "uncanny valley."
For those who are familiar with the concept of Buddha-nature, his explanation is somewhat simple--(spoilers) robots possess Buddha-nature because everything possesses Buddha-nature. If people, animals, trees, and even rocks have it, there is no reason machines wouldn't. His full explanation is much more substantial, but that is the gist of it.
It's a startlingly un-Luddite position for a religious person, although it makes sense since Mori is also a scientist. His perspective as a Buddhist and as a robotics engineer allowed him to see the harmony between two fields that are traditionally considered incompatible. But viewing religion and science as opposites is one of many false dichotomies we trick ourselves into believing about the world, a failure to see beyond the black-and-white divisions we reduce everything into. It's easy to blame technology and machines for all our problems because they look and seem so different. What could be more opposite flesh and blood than metal and wires? As Mori explains, this judgment is superficial because machines are things we make; whatever they do is only what we allowed them to do. A machine is a tool for extending our abilities in ways they otherwise could not. A car allows me to travel much further, more quickly, than I ever could on just my legs. This computer allows me to write, and share what I write, much more rapidly and effectively than I could with just pen and paper.
There is nothing inherently wrong with cars or computers, cell phones or twitter accounts, etc. It is our mind that judges them good or bad based on circumstance. One person sees a robot and fears having his job replaced or humanity lessened. Another sees a valuable, possibly life-saving means to accomplish a task. The fact that two people can view the same thing in completely different ways demonstrates the emptiness of form. This is the nature of Sunyata.
Throughout the book Mori lists different lessons he learned from robots he has built, studied, or observed over his lifetime. I will leave you with my favorite:
"That which human beings most desire in this world is genuine salvation. How can we achieve it? The solution is simple in the extreme: to be saved, we must save. All we need do is forget about saving ourselves and direct our attention to saving others. If we do this thoroughly, earnestly, selflessly, there will come a day when we ourselves are saved. Buddha-nature will evoke buddha-nature: that is the great principle that governs the workings of all nature."
For those who are familiar with the concept of Buddha-nature, his explanation is somewhat simple--(spoilers) robots possess Buddha-nature because everything possesses Buddha-nature. If people, animals, trees, and even rocks have it, there is no reason machines wouldn't. His full explanation is much more substantial, but that is the gist of it.
It's a startlingly un-Luddite position for a religious person, although it makes sense since Mori is also a scientist. His perspective as a Buddhist and as a robotics engineer allowed him to see the harmony between two fields that are traditionally considered incompatible. But viewing religion and science as opposites is one of many false dichotomies we trick ourselves into believing about the world, a failure to see beyond the black-and-white divisions we reduce everything into. It's easy to blame technology and machines for all our problems because they look and seem so different. What could be more opposite flesh and blood than metal and wires? As Mori explains, this judgment is superficial because machines are things we make; whatever they do is only what we allowed them to do. A machine is a tool for extending our abilities in ways they otherwise could not. A car allows me to travel much further, more quickly, than I ever could on just my legs. This computer allows me to write, and share what I write, much more rapidly and effectively than I could with just pen and paper.
There is nothing inherently wrong with cars or computers, cell phones or twitter accounts, etc. It is our mind that judges them good or bad based on circumstance. One person sees a robot and fears having his job replaced or humanity lessened. Another sees a valuable, possibly life-saving means to accomplish a task. The fact that two people can view the same thing in completely different ways demonstrates the emptiness of form. This is the nature of Sunyata.
Throughout the book Mori lists different lessons he learned from robots he has built, studied, or observed over his lifetime. I will leave you with my favorite:
"That which human beings most desire in this world is genuine salvation. How can we achieve it? The solution is simple in the extreme: to be saved, we must save. All we need do is forget about saving ourselves and direct our attention to saving others. If we do this thoroughly, earnestly, selflessly, there will come a day when we ourselves are saved. Buddha-nature will evoke buddha-nature: that is the great principle that governs the workings of all nature."
February 10, 2022
Here I should be critical, not naive. At least, roles of this social context tells me to conduct myself in that particular way and not other, to be screaming from joy - What I have Read Now? Reading continued several months, It was not easy to swallow pill, really. Deep understanding of Buddhist principles (from my viewpoint at least) are merged with scientific training and observation on the outcomes in the world.
Everything changes. This is the principle, which we ought to never forget. We can't stand against of fundamental laws of nature - everything decays slowly and nothing is permanent - neither money, love, people around us... There is no stepping stone to stand upon so, that no wind can shake your happines. There are no stones here, just infinite change. Dissolving of one moment into another, one particular now into next.
Everything changes. This is the principle, which we ought to never forget. We can't stand against of fundamental laws of nature - everything decays slowly and nothing is permanent - neither money, love, people around us... There is no stepping stone to stand upon so, that no wind can shake your happines. There are no stones here, just infinite change. Dissolving of one moment into another, one particular now into next.
August 2, 2020
A two and a half stars would be more apt.
The book is quite decent in bits and pieces but is not at all thought provoking either wrt robotics, AI, psychology or Buddhism.
Fit enough for a casual read.
The book is quite decent in bits and pieces but is not at all thought provoking either wrt robotics, AI, psychology or Buddhism.
Fit enough for a casual read.
November 9, 2021
Eminently readable and full of wisdom and insights delivered with humility. Would be useful to have a bit of familiarity with Buddhism and Zen before reading (you’d probably understand and get more out of it) but could be enjoyed without as well.
April 27, 2018
I was expecting more about robotics, and this turned out to be more about Buddhism. Quite outdated at times (primarily re: smoking and gender equality), but had some interesting insights.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews