Dalai Lama apologises to child, parents after uproar erupts over inappropriate act

Globally acclaimed Tibetan spiritual leader, Dalai Lama has issued an apology after a video of him kissing a child sparked controversy. He issued an apology for the hurt his action may have caused to the child and his parents as well as to his followers across the world.

A video clip has been circulating that shows a recent meeting when the young boy asked the Dalai Lama "if he could give him a hug".

The Dalai Lama then asked the boy to "suck his tongue" in front of a big audience and the child's parents.


The video has created a worldwide furore.

The official Twitter handle of the Buddhist monk said that he regrets the ‘hurt’ induced by his words. The statement added that he tends to interact with people in a ‘playful and innocent’ manner.

“A video clip has been circulating that shows a recent meeting when a young boy asked His Holiness the Dalai Lama if he could give him a hug. His Holiness wishes to apologise to the boy and his family, as well as his many friends across the world, for the hurt his words may have caused. His Holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras. He regrets the incident,” the statement read.


Several people expressed their shock and disapproval of the incident, with many terming the action as “creepy”, “disgusting”, and “repulsive”.

But sympathisers of the holy monk's believe His Holiness shares a special bond with the young minds. For him, the children of this generation are the main protector of the world, a conveyor of peace.

"My advice or rather appeal to the children is to focus on reducing this social disparity. Whether one is a socialist or not, one must think for the greater good of humanity," the Dalai Lama was quoted as saying while speaking virtually recently at the Fair Share for Children Summit.

The sympathisers say as per the Tibetan tradition sticking out one's tongue is a sign of respect or agreement and was often used as a greeting in traditional Tibetan culture.

According to Tibetan folklore, a cruel ninth-century Tibetan king had a black tongue, so people stick out their tongues to show that they are not like him.

This custom has a long history. In the movie, 'Seven Years in Tibet', Hollywood actor Brad Pitt's character encounters a group of Tibetans who all at once stick out their tongues at him.

(With inputs from IANS)