The 14th Dalai Lama expressed regret over the video in which he offered the boy to “suck his tongue”, the spiritual leader’s press office said.
The incident took place on February 28 at the residence of a religious figure in Dharamsala. In the video, a boy approaches the Dalai Lama and asks if he can hug him. In response, he kisses the young pilgrim on the lips and invites him to “suck his tongue.” The video went viral and caused a stir.
@bloodysx, 10.04.2023, 14:31: According to The Guardian, the spiritual leader also advised the boy to turn to those who create “peace and happiness” and not to follow “people who are always killing other people.” — Inset K.ru
“His Holiness wishes to apologize to the boy and his family, as well as to his many friends around the world, for the pain his words may have caused,” the statement said.
It is also specified that the Dalai Lama “often innocently and playfully teases people he meets, even in public and in front of cameras.” But at the same time, he regrets what happened.
Buddhists consider the Dalai Lama (in translation – “ocean teacher”) the incarnation of Avalokiteshvara – the Buddha of Compassion. The 14th Dalai Lama (Lhamo Dhondrub, later Tenzin Gyatso) was born on July 6, 1935 in the village of Taktser in northeastern Tibet. In 1937, he was recognized as the reincarnation of his predecessor, the 13th Dalai Lama, and in 1940 he was elevated to the throne.
After the inclusion of Tibet in China, the 14th Dalai Lama had to flee to India in 1959. His residence is located in the city of Dharamsala in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, in the foothills of the Himalayas. The “Tibetan government-in-exile” also settled there. For educational activities in different countries and peacemaking efforts, the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.