The Dalai Lama publicly apologized after the controversy and criticism sparked by a recently released video dating from last February, in which the spiritual leader kisses a child on the lips and then asks him to “suck his tongue.” ” during a public event in the city of Dharamshala, India.
On February 28, the Dalai Lama attended a meeting with students at Tsuglakhang Temple, organized by the M3M Foundation. The 87-year-old Buddhist monk was listening to questions from the audience when the boy asked if he could hug him.
The minor, called to the stage and embraced by the Dalai Lama, kisses the monk on the cheek, then the latter kisses the child on the lips and is seen sticking out his tongue as he asks the minor to “suck it”. “Can you suck my tongue?” he is heard asking her on the recording.
The recent actions of the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people have caused an uproar, with some calling the bizarre interaction “disgusting”, “inappropriate” and “disturbing”.
The #Dalai Lama has issued an apology after a video showing him asking a child to “suck” his tongue sparked outrage online. 😳 SWIPE#grindfacetv pic.twitter.com/PCjRmer7Rn
— GrindFace TV (Entertainment) (@grindfacetv) April 10, 2023
Amid the controversy, the Dalai Lama’s office issued an apology in a statement, saying the Tibetan spiritual leader’s behavior had been “innocent and playful.”
His Holiness would like to apologize to the boy and his family, as well as his many friends around the world, for any pain his words may have caused. His holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and on camera. He regrets this incident.
This is not the first time that the spiritual leader has faced controversy. In 2019, she caused a stir by suggesting that if the Dalai Lama returned in a female form, she “should be more attractive.” At that time, his office also issued an apology for this.