A disturbing video of the Dalai Lama kissing a young boy on the lips in late February has since resurfaced and garnered international criticism.
In the video, the 87-year-old Dalai Lama was speaking at his temple in Dharamshala, northern India, where he addressed over 100 young students that had just graduated from the Indian M3M Foundation.
It was during this event that the Dalai Lama’s alarming actions were caught on camera.
A young Indian boy that was present at the event had innocently asked if he could hug the Dalai Lama to which the Dalai Lama instructed the boy to approach the platform where he was sitting at.
In an uncomfortable turn of events, the Dalai Lama then could be seen pointing to his cheek and said “first here,” signaling the boy to kiss his cheek first to which the boy then gave him a hug and a kiss.
The Dalai Lama continued to keep a hold of the boy and said, “I think here also,” and kissed the child on the lips.
As if that wasn’t disturbing enough, the Dalai Lama then added, “And suck my tongue,” while putting his forehead on the boy’s forehead while sticking his tongue out. The Dalai Lama then laughed and so did the audience while he pulled the youngster in for another hug!
The interaction doesn’t end there though, the world-famous spiritual leader then shakes the youngster’s hand, places it on his cheek, and pulls the boy in for another hug even though it seemed like the boy tried to back away.
The Dalai Lama then imparts some spiritual wisdom to the young boy, advising him to “look to those good human beings who create peace, happiness” and not “follow those human beings who always kill other people.”
The viral video has made netizens really uncomfortable, questioning the elderly man’s nonchalant manner in interacting so intimately with a minor in the public eye.
On Monday, the Dalai Lama’s office issued a statement on Twitter containing an apology towards the boy and his family and friends regarding the inappropriate interaction.
“His holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras. He regrets the incident.”
The statement, however, did not address the words that were said by the Dalai Lama in the video.
What do you think of the public apology that was made?
After this incident, we truly wonder what else is deemed as an “innocent and playful” act by the Dalai Lama.
— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) April 10, 2023
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