The Dalai Lama has apologised after footage emerged displaying him kissing a younger boy on the lips and asking him to "suck my tongue".
The Buddhist religious chief's workplace mentioned he needed to apologise to the boy and his household "for the hurt his words may have caused".
It mentioned the 87-year-old "often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way" however he "regrets the incident".
The footage was taken from an occasion on 28 February when the Dalai Lama addressed a bunch of scholars on the Tsuglagkhang temple in Dharamshala, northern India.
In it, a younger boy could be seen approaching a microphone and asking the Dalai Lama: "Can I hug you?"
The Nobel Peace Prize winner invitations the boy on stage, saying "first here" and pointing to his cheek, which the boy kisses, earlier than he says "then I think finally here also" and factors to his lips.
He then pulls the boy's chin in the direction of him and kisses the kid on the lips.
Laughter and clapping could be heard on the video.
They then contact heads, earlier than the Dalai Lama says "and suck my tongue" and stands proud his tongue.
When the pair embrace later within the video the Dalai Lama tickles the younger boy below the arms.
'He regrets the incident'
In a press release the Dalai Lama's workplace mentioned: "A video clip has been circulating that shows a recent meeting when a young boy asked His Holiness the Dalai Lama if he could give him a hug.
"His Holiness needs to apologise to the boy and his household, in addition to his many buddies internationally, for the damage his phrases might have triggered.
"His Holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras. He regrets the incident."
Sticking out one's tongue is a type of greeting within the Dalai Lama's native Tibet.
Previous controversy
It isn't the primary time the Dalai Lama has triggered controversy.
In 2019 he apologised for saying if his successor have been a lady "she should be more attractive".
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, was born in Tibet and has been residing in India as a refugee since 1959 after he fled his dwelling nation following a failed rebellion in opposition to Chinese rule.
Content Source: information.sky.com
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