Often revered among Buddhist circles internationally and global peace icon, Tenzin Gyatso, otherwise known as His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, has been known to be a key figure in the ongoing peace negotiations between Tibet and China.
For his continued advocacy for nonviolence over the decades, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 and continues to travel around the globe to dispense Tibetan Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism teachings. He has lived out of India since 1959, after Tibet was annexed by China.
14th Dalai Lama caught in controversy after asking young boy to ‘suck his tongue’
However, the popularity that he once enjoyed has since waned over the years, what with his considerably reduced travel schedule owing to his age, as well as a number of controversies that he has been linked to, including allegedly making sexist remarks back in 2019 after suggesting that if the Dalai Lama should be reincarnated as a woman, ‘she should be more attractive’.
Most recently, His Holiness became embroiled in yet another scandal, this time involving inappropriate behaviour with a minor. This comes after he was witnessed kissing a young boy on the lips, before asking him to ‘suck his tongue’ during an event held in India near the end of February.
According to newspaper The Guardian, the event at the Dalai Lama’s temple in Dharamshala was attended by around 100 graduates of the M3M Foundation, which seeks to provide equitable development for marginalised communities in India.
A video of the interaction shows how a young male student addressed the Dalai Lama through the use of a microphone.
“Can I hug you?” he asked.
The 87-year-old proceeded to then invite the boy up to the dais where he was seated, before indicating at his own cheek.
“First, here.” he said.
Obliging, the young boy kissed him on the cheek before giving him a hug. However, keeping hold of the young child, he surprised many by then kissing him on the mouth. This was followed by another peculiar request.
Sticking out his tongue and pressing his forehead against the boy’s, he asked him to suck his tongue. In response, the young child stuck out his own tongue and attempted to move away, but was reeled in for another hug by the Dalai Lama in a bout of laugher.
He later told the boy to turn to those who created ‘peace and happiness’, as opposed to following ‘human beings who kill other people’, and gave him one final embrace. The clip has been met with criticism, with many calling the act ‘scandalous’ and ‘disturbing’.
Since then, the Dalai Lama’s office has issued an apology on his behalf, describing the moment as an ‘innocent and playful’ one.
— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) April 10, 2023
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