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The Dalai Lama has issued an apology after asking a boy to “suck his tongue” during an event in India earlier this year.
Back in February, a young boy approached the 87-year-old spiritual leader at an event in Dharamshala, India, and asked him for a hug, according to theAssociated PressandCNN.
Video from the event then shows the Dalai Lama gesturing to his cheek before the boy gives him a quick hug and kiss. He then asks the boy to kiss him on the lips, and pulls the boy’s chin toward him as he sticks out his lips.
After the kiss, the Dalai Lama then suggests the boy “suck my tongue,” leading to a few chuckles from the crowd. He sticks his tongue out and leans toward the boy, who then presses his forehead against the Dalai Lama’s.
Charles McQuillan/Getty
“His Holiness 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,” the statement says.
“His Holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras,” it continues.
Sticking out one’s tongue can sometimes serve as a greeting in Tibet, according tothe BBC.
“Some news refers to Tibetan culture about showing tongue,” the organization said, “but this video is certainly not about any cultural expression and even if it is, such cultural expressions are not acceptable.”
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The Dalai Lama has been living in India since 1959 after fleeing Tibet following its unsuccessful uprising against China, according to CNN. He now lives in a temple in the city of Dharamshala.
The year prior, the Dalai Lama was criticized for suggesting Europe should be for Europeans only while discussing the subject of African refugees, CNN reported.
source: people.com
