Dalai Lama apologises for asking boy to suck his tongue

[MenInG]

The Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama apologised on Monday after a video which showed him asking a boy to suck his tongue triggered a backlash on social media.

The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows the Dalai Lama, 87, planting a kiss on the boy’s lips as he leaned in to pay his respects.

The Buddhist monk is then seen sticking his tongue out as he asked the child to suck it. “Can you suck my tongue,” he is heard asking the young boy in the video.

The video is from an event in McLeod Ganj, a suburb of Dharamshala city in northern India, on February 28.

“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,” said a statement posted on his verified Twitter account.

“His Holiness often teases the people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras,” it added. “He regrets the incident.”

Twitter users slammed the video, calling it “disgusting” and “absolutely sick” after it started trending on Sunday.

“Utterly shocked to see this display by the #DalaiLama. In the past too, he’s had to apologise for his sexist comments. But saying — Now suck my tongue to a small boy is disgusting,” wrote user Sangita.

Another poster, Rakhi Tripathi, said: “What did I just see? What that child must be feeling? Disgusting.”

The Dalai Lama remains the universally recognised face of the movement for Tibetan autonomy.

But the global spotlight he enjoyed after winning the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize has dimmed and the deluge of invitations to hobnob with world leaders and Hollywood stars has slowed, partly because the ageing leader has cut back on his punishing travel schedule, but also due to China’s growing economic and political clout.

Beijing accuses him of wanting to split China, and has referred to him as a “wolf in a monk’s robe”.

In 2019, the Dalai Lama apologised for saying that if his successor were to be a woman, she would have to be “attractive”. The comments, which were criticised around the world, were made in an interview with the BBC.

AFP

 

[Champ_Pal]

Dalai Lama also falls victim to twitter angry mob. He probably forgot he lives in SJW world now. Man probably thinks he is still in 1940's.

 

[Poseidon]

Dalai Lama also falls victim to twitter angry mob. He probably forgot he lives in SJW world now. Man probably thinks he is still in 1940's.

but why he asked a boy to suck his tongue ?

 

[KingKhanWC]

but why he asked a boy to suck his tongue ?

Official response

"His Holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras. He regrets the incident," his office said.

In the video which has circulated online, the boy is seen asking if he can hug the Dalai Lama. The leader motions to his cheek, saying "first here" and the boy kisses his cheek and gives him a hug.

Then, while holding the boy's hand, the Dalai Lama motions to his lips and says "I think here also", and kisses the boy on the lips.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-65229327

The man is a fraud and his actions were disgusting. Why do people allow their children to get so close to people they dont know?

 

[MenInG]

From NDTV

Tibetan culture and tongue greetings

According to a 2014 BBC article, sticking out your tongue can be considered as rude, but in Tibet, it's a way of greeting. It has been a tradition followed by the Tibetan people since the ninth century, when the region was ruled by Lang Drama, who was known for a black tongue, said the outlet.

After the death of the king, the locals started showing their tongues when asked to confirm that they are not like him (or his reincarnation).

The Institute of East Asian Studies, UC Berkeley, also mentions this in its 2014 piece. The institute said on its website that sticking out one's tongue is a sign of respect or agreement and was often used as a greeting in traditional Tibetan culture.


Other controversies involving the Dalai Lama

In 2019, the Dalai Lama apologised for saying that if his successor were to be a woman, she would have to be "attractive". The comments, which were criticised around the world, were made in an interview with the BBC.

In the same year, he also triggered a controversy after saying "Europe belongs to the Europeans" on the issue of immigrants. The spiritual leader made the remarks at a conference in Malmo, Sweden, and said refugees should return to their native countries.

In 2018, he said that Mahatma Gandhi wanted to give the prime ministership to Muhammad Ali Jinnah, but Jawaharlal Nehru refused as he was "self-centred". He added that India and Pakistan would have remained united had Mahatma Gandhi's come true. The Tibetan spiritual leader later apologised for his remark.

The Dalai Lama remains the universally recognised face of the movement for Tibetan autonomy. He fled to India in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet, is regarded by Beijing as a separatist.

Last month, the Dalai Lama named an eight-year-old US-born Mongolian boy as the 10th Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa Rinpoche, the third highest rank in Tibetan Buddhism.

 

[The_KING]

Absolutely disgusting, but not surprising.

 

[pillionrider]

I spent a few years exploring Indian spirituality.

And the deeper you went, the more perverse the stories that emerged around so-called enlightened beings. Perverse by our current standards. Not that I consider this Dalai Lama a very spiritual person. But making a broader point.

I've often wondered about the sexual element that invariably seeps into most of them. Except perhaps, Swami Vivekanada whom I at least now respect as a great human being despite turning cynical about his views on enlightenment.

 

[sweep_shot]

Incredibly disturbing and disgusting.

Unacceptable.

 

[daytrader]

Dalai Lama defended over tongue-sucking remark

A top Tibetan leader has defended the Dalai Lama over a video that showed him asking a child to suck his tongue.

Penpa Tsering, head of Tibet's government-in-exile, has called the spiritual leader's actions "innocent" and said it demonstrated his "affectionate behaviour".

The video sparked outrage after it went viral on social media, with users calling his actions inappropriate.

The Dalai Lama's office has apologised over the incident.

On Thursday, Mr Tsering said the Dalai Lama's actions had been misinterpreted and that the controversy had hurt the sentiments of his followers.

He also said that the Dalai Lama has always lived in "sanctity and celibacy" and that his years of spiritual practice had taken him "beyond the sensorial pleasures".

Mr Tsering also claimed that investigations suggested "pro-Chinese sources" were behind making the video go viral on social media. He gave no evidence for the claim. He added that the "political angle of this incident cannot be ignored."

Though the incident appears to have taken place at the Dalai Lama's temple in Dharamshala on 28 February, the controversial video went viral on social media earlier this month. It has been viewed over a million times on Twitter.

In the video, the Dalai Lama can be heard asking the boy to kiss him on his cheek and then his lips after the boy asks if he can give him a hug.

The leader then put his forehead to that of the boy's, before sticking out his tongue, saying "and suck my tongue".

...
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-65272213

 

[Firebat]

China: Dalai Lama furore reignites Tibet 'slave' controversy

An online backlash to the Dalai Lama has rejuvenated a long-running controversy over Tibetan history and boosted a Chinese government narrative.

The Tibetan Buddhist leader has faced widespread criticism after a video surfaced showing him kissing a young boy and asking him to suck his tongue. The Dalai Lama has since expressed regret.

The incident has sparked significant online vitriol against the spiritual leader.

While much of it centres on the video, accusing him of inappropriate behaviour and child abuse, a significant portion of the criticism accuses him of complicity in "slavery", using highly disputed definitions seen in Chinese propaganda.

There are also concerns that overall, the online backlash is fuelling anti-Tibet sentiment.

Activists say that while many of the talking points have long existed online - propagated by pro-China accounts - they are now attracting a wider audience as the video controversy renews global attention on Tibet.

Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-65307709

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Dalai Lama confirms he will have a successor after his death

Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has confirmed he will have a successor, putting to rest speculation over whether the 600-year-old institution will end when he dies.

In a video message keenly-awaited by his followers, he said only the trust that he founded could appoint his successor and "no-one else has any authority to interfere in this matter".

According to Tibetan tradition, Dalai Lamas are "reincarnated" after they die. China annexed Tibet in 1950 and the current Dalai Lama lives in exile in India, making succession a highly contentious issue.

Beijing rejected the statement, saying his successor would be from inside China and must be approved by the government.

Dalai Lama: Tibetan spiritual leader confirms he will have successor after his death

The exiled leader of Tibetan Buddhism issues a landmark announcement as he turns 90, ending years of uncertainty.

www.bbc.com

 

[Ball Blazer]

Dalai Lama hopes to live beyond 130 years, much longer than predicted​

The Dalai Lama said on Saturday he hopes to live until he is more than 130 years old, two decades longer than his previous prediction, following his assurance to followers that he would reincarnate as the spiritual head of the faith upon his death.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner was speaking during a ceremony organised by his followers to offer prayers for his long life, ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday, and as China insists it will choose his successor. The Dalai Lama told Reuters in December he might live to 110.

“I have been able to serve the Buddhadharma (the teachings of Buddhism) and the beings of Tibet so far quite well,” he said between prayers, clearing his throat now and then.

“And still, I hope to live over 130 years,” he said, sparking applause and cheers among his followers.

The 14th Dalai Lama, already the longest-lived head of Tibetan Buddhism, spent about 90 minutes at the prayers in his temple.

The ceremony was attended by thousands of followers from around the world who gathered in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamshala, where he has lived since fleeing Tibet in 1959 in the wake of a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

“We have lost our country and we live in exile in India, but I have been able to benefit beings quite a lot. So, living here in Dharamshala, I intend to serve beings and the dharma as much as I can,” he said in Tibetan, which was translated simultaneously into English and other languages.

China, keen to consolidate its control over Tibet, views the Dalai Lama as a separatist. Beijing insists its leaders would have to approve his successor, in a legacy from imperial times.

The Dalai Lama has previously said that he would reincarnate in the “free world” outside China, and this week told his followers that the sole authority to recognise his reincarnation rests with his non-profit institution, the Gaden Phodrang Trust.

Devotees stream in
The Dalai Lama is a charismatic figure whose following extends well beyond the millions of Tibetan Buddhists living around the world.

He won the 1989 peace prize for what the Nobel committee said was keeping alive the Tibetan cause and seeking genuine autonomy to protect and preserve the region’s unique culture, religion and national identity without pressing for independence.

At the prayers on Saturday, he sat on a throne before a large statue of the Buddha, with dozens of monks seated in front of him.

Marigold garlands hung from pillars as his followers and journalists crowded around the main temple area. Oracles and other figures, shaking in trance, arrived to pay their obeisance to their guru. Monks struck cymbals and played ornate long trumpets in honour of the Dalai Lama and others.

The Dalai Lama said he prays daily to benefit all sentient beings and feels he has the blessings of Tibet’s patron deity, Avalokitesvara.

“Looking at the many prophecies, I feel I have the blessings of Avalokitesvara,” he said. “I have done my best so far. At the least, I hope to still live for 30 or 40 years more.”

His birthday celebrations on Sunday will be attended by senior Indian ministers as well as diplomats from the United States, along with thousands of his devotees.

Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1922291/d...e-beyond-130-years-much-longer-than-predicted