Dalai Lama apologizes after video shows him kissing boy, asking to ‘suck my tongue’ – National | 24CA News
The Dalai Lama, the non secular 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.
In the video, a younger boy approached the 14th Dalai Lama, additionally referred to as Tenzin Gyatso, and requested for a hug. In response, the 87-year-old non secular determine gestured to his personal cheek and mentioned, “first here.” The boy kissed the Dalai Lama’s cheek and gave him a hug.
“I think here also,” 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. Again, 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 always kill other people.” The pair hugged as soon as extra.
Outrage over the interplay grew in April after the video was shared broadly on social media. Many referred to as the incident “disgusting” and “shameful.”
In response, the Dalai Lama issued a press release of “regret” on Monday.
“His holiness wishes to apologize to the boy and his family as well as his many friends across the world, for the hurt his words may have caused,” the assertion reads.
“His holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras. He regrets the incident.”
The Delhi-based little one rights group Haq: Center for Child Rights instructed CNN in a press release the group condemns “all form of child abuse.”
“Some news refers to Tibetan culture about showing tongue, but this video is certainly not about any cultural expression and even if it is, such cultural expressions are not acceptable,” the assertion reads.
Read extra:
Lori Vallow trial — What to know concerning the ‘cult mom’ accused of killing her 2 children
The Dalai Lama is the holiest determine and chief of the Yellow Hat college 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 just isn’t the primary time the Dalai Lama has acquired criticism. In 2019, he urged that if the Dalai Lama had been to be reincarnated as a lady, she must be “more attractive.” He later apologized for the remark.
In 2018, the Dalai Lama mentioned Europe needs to be stored for Europeans, and refugees from Africa or Muslim international locations ought to return to their nation of origin. He mentioned Europe was “morally responsible” for accepting refugees however asserted that they “ultimately should rebuild their own country.”
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
