Dalai Lama's 'Suck My Tongue' Video Sparks Anger, Prompts Apology

• The disturbing interaction between the child and spiritual leader Dalai Lama was captured on video
• The office of the Tibetan Buddhist leader issued an apology
• Dalai Lama supporters assert that he was teasing

The Dalai Lama issued an apology following the release of a video showing him kissing a child on the lips and then instructing him to "suck my tongue" at an event in northern India.

In a statement released on Monday, the Dalai Lama's office said he "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" and that he "regrets" the incident.

Dalai Lama Kisses Boy on Lips

According to the statement, even in public and in front of cameras, His Holiness frequently engages in harmless and playful teasing of those he encounters. His apology comes after a video of the exchange, which occurred during an event in February in the hilly city of Dharamshala, went viral on social media, with many users criticizing the Dalai Lama's behavior.

In the video, the young boy is seen approaching the Nobel Peace Prize recipient and requesting, "Can hug you?"

The 87-year-old spiritual leader then invites the boy on stage, gestures to his cheek, and says, "First here," prompting the boy to give him an embrace and kiss. The Dalai Lama then points to his lips and says: "then I think finally here also." He then tugs the boy's chin and kisses him on the mouth.

"And suck my tongue," he says after a few seconds, thrusting his tongue out.

The identity of the child is not known. Per CNN, he was at an event with the M3M Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Indian real estate company M3M Group, in Dharamshala, where the Dalai Lama resides in permanent exile. Attendees of the event, conducted by India's M3M Foundation, can be heard laughing as the child sits awkwardly in front of the aged Tibetan Buddhist leader and hesitantly follows his orders.

Before releasing the child, the Dalai Lama advises him to "look to those good human beings who create harmony and pleasure" and not to "follow those human beings who always kill other people."

Dalai Lama Viral Video Sparks Social Media Reactions

According to Daily Mail, some supporters of the Dalai Lama rushed to his defense, asserting that their leader was merely teasing. Social media users have condemned the Dalai Lama's actions as "scandalous," "disgusting," and "absolutely sick."

Others went so far as to call him an "insidious false prophet."

The Dalai Lama remains the universally recognized face of the Tibetan autonomy movement. But the global spotlight he enjoyed after winning the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize has dimmed, and the deluge of invitations to hobnob with world leaders and Hollywood stars has slowed, partly because the aging leader has cut back on his punishing travel schedule, but also due to China's growing economic and political clout.

Beijing has called him a "wolf in a monk's robe," accusing him of wanting to divide China. Even though there was no response from the Dalai Lama's office, sticking one's tongue out is a sign of greeting and respect in Tibetan culture. The Dalai Lama's aides did not return phone calls or WhatsApp messages.

Earlier, the Dalai Lama courted controversy by stating in an interview that his successor could be a woman, but she must be attractive. Feminist organizations responded strongly to the Dalai Lama's comments. He later expressed regret for the remarks, as per Tribune India.

The Dalai Lama recently recognized a Mongolian child living in the United States as Khalka Jetsun Dhampa Rinpoche, the third highest-ranking Lama in Tibetan Buddhism. The Chinese government has asserted that it will determine the reincarnation of the current Dalai Lama, despite significant opposition from the exiled Tibetan government.

One of the top Lamas of the Tibetans, the Panchen Lama, who plays a role in choosing the next Dalai Lama, was already under Chinese government control. According to the Tibetan government in exile, the Chinese government removed the infant into custody shortly after the Dalai Lama recognized him as Panchen Lama.

The Tibetans have conducted a search campaign for the Panchen Lama for the past two decades. The Karmapa, an influential Tibetan Lama who left India a few years ago, has not returned.

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Dalai Lama, India