The Dalai Lama, a spiritual leader revered by many, has issued an apology after a video went viral on social media showing him kissing a schoolboy on the lips and requesting that the child “suck my tongue”. The incident occurred during an interaction with approximately 100 students from India’s M3M Foundation at his temple in McLeod Ganj, located in Dharamshala in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.
In the video, which was captured on February 28 and broadcast by the Tibet arm of the United States government-backed Voice of America, the young boy asked for a hug from the Dalai Lama, who then proceeded to ask for a kiss on the cheek, but ended up kissing the child on the lips and requesting that he “suck my tongue”. Following this, the two separated after touching foreheads and shared a laugh to applause from the crowd.
The Dalai Lama, through his office, expressed regret and apologized to the boy, his family, and his friends for any hurt that his actions may have caused. He explained that he often teases people innocently and playfully, even in public and before cameras, and that he regrets the incident.
Social media users accused the Dalai Lama of sexual assault, but the longer edit of the video shows that the incident was an innocent and playful interaction. The Tibetan leader, who has courted controversy in the past, is seeking to ensure that his successor is selected according to Tibetan practices, rather than appointed by officials in Beijing. The United States supports the non-interference of his reincarnation process.
Finally, it’s worth noting that Tibet’s highest leader expressed his desire to live for another two decades.
By Mateo Feo
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