KYOTO – A 400-year-old temple is attempting to hot-wire interest in Buddhism with a robotic priest it believes will change the face of the religion -- despite critics comparing the android to "Frankenstein's monster." The android Kannon, based on the Buddhist deity of mercy, preaches sermons at Kodaiji temple in Kyoto, and its human colleagues predict that with artificial intelligence it could one day acquire unlimited wisdom. "This robot will never die; it will just keep updating itself and evolving," said priest Tensho Goto. It can store knowledge forever and limitlessly. "With AI we hope it will grow in wisdom to help people overcome even the most difficult troubles. It's changing Buddhism," he added.

KYOTO - A robot modeled after Kannon Bodhisattva and designed to explain the teachings of Buddha in plain terms was unveiled to the media at Kodaiji Temple in the city of Kyoto on Saturday. In a dimly lit hall of the temple, the robot -- named Mindar -- gave a speech on the Heart Sutra and humanity while fantastical music played, with English and Chinese subtitles projected on the wall. An official linked to the temple in Kyoto's Higashiyama Ward expressed hope that the robot will "help people who usually have little connection with Buddhism have an interest" in the religion. Mindar, which is about 195 centimeters tall and weighs 60 kilograms, was produced by Tokyo-based A-Lab Co. Its body is made mainly of aluminum, with silicone used for its face and hands.

KYOTO – A folding screen painted in ink featuring main characters of the Star Wars movie was unveiled Tuesday at Byodoin, a Buddhist temple on UNESCO's World Heritage list in Kyoto Prefecture, ahead of the release of the latest episode in December. The movie's famous robot characters R2-D2 and C-3PO, as well as villain Kylo Ren, were painted on the screen by Masayuki Kojo, 39, a local painter. Rian Johnson, director of the new release "The Last Jedi," praised the painting as amazingly beautiful at a ceremony held at the temple in Uji, south of Kyoto. A traditional Japanese kyogen (comedy play) inspired by the movie was also performed at the event. The folding screen will be displayed at a tourist center in Uji.