The Dalai Lama, the religious chief of Tibetan Buddhism, has apologized after video surfaced of him kissing a younger boy on the lips and requesting that he “suck my tongue” at an occasion in northern India.
The allegations of inappropriate behaviour encompass a since-viral video from the Dalai Lama’s go to to a temple in his honour in Dharamshala, India in February.
Within the video, a younger boy approached the 14th Dalai Lama, additionally known as Tenzin Gyatso, and requested for a hug. In response, the 87-year-old spiritual determine gestured to his personal cheek and mentioned, “first right here.” The boy kissed the Dalai Lama’s cheek and gave him a hug.
“I feel right here additionally,” the Dalai Lama continued. He held the boy’s chin and pulled his face ahead for a kiss on the lips. There was applause because the Dalai Lama laughed.
Holding the boy’s chin, the Dalai Lama pressed their foreheads collectively for a second. After he launched the boy, the Dalai Lama mentioned, “and suck my tongue” earlier than sticking it out on the boy. Once more, they pressed their foreheads collectively, with the Dalai Lama’s tongue nonetheless prolonged between him and the boy.
The Dalai Lama then suggested the boy to seek for “peace and happiness” and keep away from “human beings who all the time kill different folks.” The pair hugged as soon as extra.
Outrage over the interplay grew in April after the video was shared broadly on social media. Many known as the incident “disgusting” and “shameful.”
In response, the Dalai Lama issued a press release of “remorse” on Monday.
“His holiness needs to apologize to the boy and his household in addition to his many buddies the world over, for the damage his phrases could have brought about,” the assertion reads.
“His holiness typically teases folks he meets in an harmless and playful means, even in public and earlier than cameras. He regrets the incident.”
The Delhi-based little one rights group Haq: Middle for Baby Rights told CNN in a statement the group condemns “all type of little one abuse.”
“Some information refers to Tibetan tradition about exhibiting tongue, however this video is definitely not about any cultural expression and even whether it is, such cultural expressions should not acceptable,” the assertion reads.
The Dalai Lama is the holiest determine and chief of the Yellow Hat faculty of Tibetan Buddhism. He was exiled from Tibet in 1959 when China annexed the nation after an unsuccessful rebellion. He has lived in India ever since.
The video from February will not be the primary time the Dalai Lama has acquired criticism. In 2019, he recommended that if the Dalai Lama had been to be reincarnated as a girl, she should be “more attractive.” He later apologized for the remark.
In 2018, the Dalai Lama mentioned Europe should be kept for Europeans, and refugees from Africa or Muslim nations ought to return to their nation of origin. He mentioned Europe was “morally accountable” for accepting refugees however asserted that they “in the end ought to rebuild their very own nation.”
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