Dalai Lama Apologizes for Kissing Boy and Asking Him to “Suck” His Tongue

The 14th Dalai Lama, Gyalwa Rinpoche, has publicly apologized after a video of him kissing a young boy and asking him to “suck” his tongue surfaced on social media. The unsettling footage was recorded during a charity event at his temple in Dharamshala, India, in February.

In the video, the 87-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader invited the boy on stage and stuck his tongue out towards the child’s face, which caused discomfort and unease. The incident has since caused widespread outrage and backlash from the public.

The Dalai Lama took to Twitter to apologize, stating that he often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras. He expressed regret over the incident and apologized to the young boy and his family, as well as his friends across the world for the hurt his words may have caused.

The apology comes after years of allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse against spiritual leaders, including the Dalai Lama. The incident has sparked further debate around the issue of sexual misconduct within religious institutions and the need for accountability and transparency.

The video has since been widely shared and viewed, leading to an investigation by the authorities. The Dalai Lama has expressed his willingness to cooperate with the investigation and hopes that this incident will serve as a reminder to all religious leaders to uphold the highest ethical standards.

The incident has also sparked a debate about the appropriateness of physical contact between spiritual leaders and their followers, especially children. The Dalai Lama’s apology has been met with mixed reactions, with some calling for him to step down from his position and others defending him as a harmless act of playfulness.

The controversy surrounding the incident continues to develop, and it remains to be seen how it will impact the Dalai Lama’s reputation and legacy.