The spiritual leader expresses regret over the incident and apologizes to the boy and his family.
The Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader, has publicly apologized after a video surfaced showing him kissing a young boy on the lips and making an inappropriate comment. The incident took place in February at the Dalai Lama’s residence in Dharamsala, India. In the video, the boy asks for a hug, and the Dalai Lama gestures for a kiss on the cheek before unexpectedly asking for another kiss on the lips, even going as far as suggesting the boy “suck my tongue.”
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The video sparked immediate backlash online, with many condemning the Dalai Lama’s actions as inappropriate and crossing boundaries. In response to the criticism, the spiritual leader issued an apology to the boy, his family, and supporters worldwide. His office explained that the Dalai Lama often engages in playful teasing, even in public settings, but did not directly address the specific incident captured in the video.
In Tibetan culture, sticking out one’s tongue is a customary greeting, but the act of tongue-sucking is not part of the tradition. The practice of sticking out the tongue dates back to a 9th-century myth involving an unpopular king with a black tongue, with the gesture evolving as a way for Tibetans to show they had not become his reincarnation after his death.
Supporters defend Dalai Lama’s odd interaction with young boy, point to Tibet’s history of ‘tongue greetings’ https://t.co/d5zqOhivIY
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 11, 2023
This is not the first instance of the Dalai Lama facing controversy. In the past, he has made remarks that have stirred debate, including suggesting that African refugee migrants should return to their continents and making comments about the attractiveness of a potential female successor. Despite these controversies, it is crucial to recognize the Dalai Lama’s lifelong dedication to promoting peace, compassion, and human rights. His teachings have impacted millions globally, aiming to foster harmony among people of all beliefs and backgrounds. Moving forward, it is hoped that there will be no further contentious incidents involving the Dalai Lama.
