The Dalai Lama has apologized after inappropriately coercing a minor to kiss him on the lips and asking him to suck his tongue.
The holiest figure in Tibetan Buddhism is undoubtedly the Dalai Lama The spiritual teachings of him are followed by millions across both the Eastern and Western worlds.
Many of his followers have consequently, been disgusted and outraged by the inappropriate behaviour demonstrated by him in a clip which went viral. The Dalai Lama attended a temple in Dharamshala,India, which was also attended by 100 young students who were fresh graduates from the Indian M3M Foundation.
From amongst the students, one boy asked the Dalai Lama: “Can I hug you?”. The Dalai Lama, aged 87, told the boy to come up to the platform where he was seated. Gesturing to his cheek, he is heard saying “first here”, after which the child kissed him and gave him a hug. The Dalai Lama continued holding the boy tightly, saying “I think here also” and then planted a kiss on his lips. “And suck my tongue,” the Dalai Lama then said, sticking out his tongue, whilst being forehead to forehead with the young minor. In response, the boy did as he was told by his hero and quickly stuck out his own tongue. He went to move away while the Dalai Lama laughed and pulled the boy in for another hug. The audience laughed.
The spiritual leader advised the boy to look to those who create “peace and happiness” and not to follow “human beings who always kill other people”, he then gave him a final hug.
The video clip that has gone viral was taken in late February. Some believe that the apology issued by the Dalai Lama only surfaced due to the widespread condemnation of the incident; many describing it as ‘deeply worrying’, ‘disgusting’ and ‘highly inappropriate’.
The official statement of apology by the Dalai Lama is as follows:
“His holiness wishes to apologise to the boy and his family as well as his many friends across the world, for the hurt his words may have caused…… is holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras. He regrets the incident.”
