Tibetan religious chief the Dalai Lama has apologized after a video displaying him kissing a baby on the lips triggered criticism
DHARAMSALA, India — Tibetan religious chief the Dalai Lama apologized Monday after a video displaying him kissing a baby on the lips triggered criticism.
An announcement posted on his official web site mentioned the 87-year-old chief regretted the incident and wished to “apologize to the boy and his household, in addition to his many pals internationally, for the harm his phrases could have induced.”
The incident occurred at a public gathering in February on the Tsuglagkhang temple in Dharamsala, the place the exiled chief lives. He was taking questions from the viewers when the boy requested if he might hug him.
The Dalai Lama invited the boy up towards the platform he was seated on. Within the video, he gestured to his cheek, after which the kid kissed him earlier than giving him a hug.
The Dalai Lama then requested the boy to kiss him on the lips and caught out his tongue. “And suck my tongue,” the Dalai Lama might be heard saying because the boy stands proud his personal tongue and leans in, prompting laughter from the viewers.
The footage triggered a backlash on-line with social media customers condemning his conduct as inappropriate and disturbing.
SNAP, the nationwide advocacy group for victims of clergy abuse, mentioned they had been “horrified” by the Dalai Lama’s actions. “Our major concern is with the harmless boy who was the topic of this disgusting request by a revered religious determine,” the group mentioned in an announcement.
Protruding one’s tongue was typically used as a greeting in line with historical Tibetan tradition, however will not be generally seen anymore.
“His Holiness typically teases individuals he meets in an harmless and playful means, even in public and earlier than cameras,” the assertion from the Dalai Lama learn.
The Dalai Lama has made the hillside city of Dharmsala his headquarters since fleeing from Tibet after a failed rebellion in opposition to Chinese language rule in 1959. India considers Tibet to be a part of China, although it hosts Tibetan exiles.
