A video of the Dalai Lama kissing a young boy on the lips and suggesting that the boy suck his tongue has sparked controversy online. The incident is believed to have taken place at the Dalai Lama’s temple in Dharamshala on 28 February during an event organised by the M3M Foundation, the philanthropic arm of real estate company M3M Group.

 

In the video, which has since gone viral, the boy asks if he can hug the Dalai Lama. The leader responds by motioning to his cheek and saying  first here  before the boy kisses his cheek and hugs him. The Dalai Lama then motions to his lips and says I think here also” before kissing the boy on the lips. He then puts his forehead to the boy’s and suggests that the boy “suck my tongue.

 

The video has sparked widespread debate and criticism online, with many questioning the appropriateness of the Dalai Lama’s actions. However, others have defended the spiritual leader, noting that sticking one’s tongue out is a form of greeting in Tibet.

 

The M3M Foundation had uploaded photos from the event on social media in March, including one of the Dalai Lama hugging the boy in question. The foundation has not yet commented on the controversy surrounding the video.

 Since an uprising against Chinese control in Tibet in 1959, the Dalai Lama has been residing in exile in India. After the spiritual leader said in a BBC interview that any future female Dalai Lama should be beautiful  the spiritual leader's administration issued an apology in 2019. 

 

Sticking one’s tongue out is a form of greeting in Tibet, but the video has raised concerns about inappropriate behaviour towards children. This is not the first time the Dalai Lama has faced criticism for his comments on women and gender. In 2019, his office apologised after he told the BBC in an interview that any future female Dalai Lama should be attractive.

 

The Dalai Lama has been living In exile in India since fleeing Tibet in 1959, following an uprising against Chinese rule there.