Dalai Lama issues apology after video asking young boy to kiss him and suck his tongue goes viral

• Posted on April 11, 2023April 11, 2023
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Tibeitian foremost spiritual leader, The Dalai Lama has officially apologised after he faced backlash over a video of him asking a young boy to “suck his tongue”

The incident which occurred in February took place at the Dalali Lama’s Temple in the Northern part of India.

In the viral video which has re-emerged, the young boy can be heard asking for a hug but the 87-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner gives him a kiss and then hugs him.

After, he sticks his tongue out and seconds later says, “And suck my tongue”.

The spiritual leader who was engaging with 120 students who graduated under a training workshop continued to hug others during the event.

Following public outcry on social media over the video, the Dalai Lama’s office has issued an apology on his behalf.

It said the Dalai Lama, “wishes to apologize to the boy and his family, as well as his many friends across the world, for the hurt his words may have caused,” adding he was sorry “for the hurt his words may have caused” the boy and his familu.

“His Holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras,” the statement pointed out.

According to Tibetian tradition, it is an acceptable custom to poke out one’s tongue as a style of greeting and respect.

Nonetheless, he has since expressed great remorse following the incident.