The Dalai Lama has apologized for a disturbing video that has gone viral on social media. The photo, taken at a February event in the Indian city of Dharamsala, shows the Tibetan spiritual leader kissing a boy on the mouth before the 87-year-old confronts the minor about whether he is “sucking”. his tongue”.
During the event in Dharamsala, viewers were able to ask questions of the Dalai Lama, whose real name is Tenzin Gyatso. The boy just wanted to hug the priest and asked if he could. The 87-year-old allowed it and kissed the boy first on the cheek and then on the mouth. After a short pause, the Dalai Lama then demanded in English: “Suck my tongue.” At the same time, he approached the child’s face to hear the laughter of some of the dignitaries present.
“The most disgusting moment I’ve ever experienced”
After the video was published, countless users reacted with outrage on social media. “It was the most disgusting moment I’ve ever experienced,” wrote a Chinese journalist. An Indian children’s rights organization declared “any form of child abuse” in a statement to news channel CNN. The Dalai Lama’s gesture also cannot be explained by the cultural habits of the Tibetans, it said. In fact, showing the tongue often serves as a form of greeting in Tibet.
However, due to the massive criticism, the Buddhist monk felt compelled to apologize. “His Holiness would like to apologize to the boy and his family, as well as his many friends around the world, for any pain his words may have caused,” the Dalai Lama said on Twitter.
He “often taunts people he meets in an innocent and playful way.” But he regrets the incident, it was further explained.
Tibetan autonomy aspirations
The Dalai Lama fled Tibet during an uprising in 1959. Since then, like many other Tibetan refugees, he has lived in exile in Dharamsala. The Dalai Lama has officially relinquished his political role. He does not strive for Tibetan independence, but more autonomy. Beijing, however, accuses the Dalai Lama of wanting to separate Tibet from China.
Source: Krone
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