Dalai Lama released an apology after a video showing him asking a boy to “suck my tongue” circulated on social media, which sparked outrage.
The video starts with the boy asking the religious leader if he could hug him during a public gathering. Dalai Lama first hugs the boy, continues to hold him, kisses him on the lips, then asks the boy to suck his tongue. The boy slowly moves his head closer to the Dalai Lama’s but appears only to touch his forehead before withdrawing.
The incident happened at an event in February at the Tsuglagkhang Temple complex, where the Dalai Lama resides.
0n 10 April, Dalai Lama’s office shared a statement containing an apology on Twitter saying:
“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.
“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.
“His Holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras.
“He regrets the incident.”
The video was viewed millions of times on social media with many comments such as “scandalous,” “disgusting,” and “abusive.”
According to the sources, sticking out one’s tongue is known as a traditional greeting, stemming from a 9th century myth about an unpopular king with a black tongue.
When the king died, Tibetans began revealing their tongues to show they hadn’t become his incarnate.
However, tongue-sucking does not appear to be part of the tradition.
(Source: NPR)
(Image: Twitter)
