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Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama apologized on Monday after the release of a video showing him kissing a child on the lips that sparked a backlash.
In a statement posted on his official website, the 87-year-old spiritual leader said he regretted the incident and wanted to “apologize to his son and his family, as well as his many friends around the world, for the hurt that his words may have caused”.
The incident happened during a public gathering in February at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamsala, where the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader lives. At one point, a little boy asked if he could give him a hug.
The Dalai Lama invited the boy to the platform where he was sitting. In the video, it appears that he motioned for her to kiss her on the cheek, before hugging her. The Dalai Lama then asked the boy to kiss him on the lips. “Suck my tongue,” the Dalai Lama can be heard saying as the little boy bows, drawing laughter from the audience.
The footage sparked a backlash online, with social media users condemning his behavior as inappropriate and disturbing.
“His Holiness often teases the people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public or in front of the cameras,” the statement said.
The Dalai Lama has made the city of Dharmsala his headquarters since he fled Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. India considers Tibet part of China, although it hosts Tibetan exiles.
A video of the Dalai Lama kissing on the lips and sucking his tongue with a little boy has sparked many reactions on social networks. The last one to condemn that action is the rapper Cardi B, who has very strong opinions about the video and gestures.
“This world is full of predators. They prey on the innocent, the most ignorant, our children. Predators can be our neighbors, our school teachers, even people with money, power, and our churches. Always talk to your kids about boundaries and what they shouldn’t let people do to them.”
The Tibetan religious figure released a statement from a representative to apologize for the incident.
“His Holiness often harasses people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and in front of cameras, and he regrets the incident,” the statement said.
