The Dalai Lama has apologized for a recent incident that caused a stir on social media. In a viral video, the spiritual leader can be seen kissing a young boy and asking him to “suck my tongue” during an event in northern India. The Dalai Lama’s office issued a statement expressing regret for any hurt his words may have caused and apologized to the boy, his family, and his many friends worldwide.
The incident occurred in February during an event in Dharamshala, where the Dalai Lama lives in permanent exile. The young boy approached the Nobel Peace Prize winner and asked if he could hug him. The spiritual leader then invited the boy on stage, prompting the child to give him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. The Dalai Lama then pointed to his lips and said, “Then I think finally here also,” before kissing the boy on the mouth and asking him to “suck my tongue.”
The incident sparked criticism from many on social media, with some users accusing the Dalai Lama of inappropriate behavior. In response, a prominent child rights group in Delhi condemned “all forms of child abuse” and argued that such behavior is not acceptable, even if it is part of a cultural expression.
The Dalai Lama’s supporters, however, have defended his actions, saying that they have been misinterpreted under a Western lens. They point out that sticking out one’s tongue is a sign of respect or agreement in traditional Tibetan culture and was often used as a greeting.
The Dalai Lama has been the subject of controversy in recent years. In 2019, he apologized for saying in an interview with the BBC that if a female Dalai Lama should succeed him, she “should be more attractive.” The previous year, he suggested that Europe should be kept for Europeans when speaking about the rising level of African refugees entering the continent.
Despite these controversies, the Dalai Lama remains one of the world’s most respected spiritual leaders. As the principal spiritual leader of the “Yellow Hat” school of Tibetan Buddhism, he is revered by millions as the reincarnation of his 13 predecessors. Since 1959, he has been based in India following an unsuccessful Tibetan uprising against Chinese occupation, and he later established a government-in-exile in the northern Indian city of Dharamshala, leading thousands of Tibetans who followed him there.