The Dalai Lama has apologised to a young boy and his family after a video of the Tibetan spiritual leader kissing the boy and asking him to suck my tongue” sparked outrage online.
The video, which was taken in February at a public event in India, shows the Dalai Lama pointing to his cheek and telling the young boy to “kiss here.”
He then motions to his lips and says, “then I think finally here also,” before pulling the child’s chin towards him and kissing him on the mouth.
The Dalai Lama also sticks his tongue out at the boy and asks him to “suck my tongue”.
He then hugs the child and says, “thank you, we are the same humans, brothers and sisters.”
Since going viral, the video has caused many people to express concern over the Tibetan spiritual leader’s behaviour with the child, describing it as “inappropriate,” and “disgusting.”
The mass outrage has led to the Dalai Lama issuing an apology to the child and his family, where he describes the incident as “innocent” and “playful”.
“A video clip has been circulating that shows a recent meeting when a young boy asked His Holiness the Dalai Lama if he could give him a hug,” the statement released on the Dalai Lama’s Twitter account reads.
“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.
“His Holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras. He regrets the incident”.
The Dalai Lama also sparked controversy in 2019, when he suggested a woman could be the next reincarnation but only if she was “attractive.”
The spiritual leader is due to turn 88-years-old in July and is yet to choose his successor.
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