The controversial video that emerged of the Dalai Lama kissing a boy wasn’t the first time the high-profile figure had entered controversy.
The last video clip emerged from a charity event he was attending in India in February 2023.
From his latest video to previously saying his successor should be “very attractive,” he has been involved in a growing number of controversial incidents in recent years.
But did the Dalai Lama kiss a boy? What other controversies has the Dalai Lama been involved in?
Read below for everything you need to know about the Dalai Lama’s past controversies.
The Dalai Lama has apologized after a disturbing video surfaced on social media in which he kissed a young Indian boy on the lips before telling him to “suck” his tongue.
Footage of the uncomfortable incident showed the moment a Tibetan spiritual leader invited the boy on stage during a charity event at his temple in Dharamshala, India in February 2023.
The spiritual leader first asks the boy to kiss him on the cheek before pointing to his lips. He grabs the boy’s face as they kiss briefly, then the couple press their foreheads together.
Did the Dalai Lama kiss a boy?
The Dalai Lama has issued an apology after a disturbing video surfaced on social media in which he kissed a young Indian boy on the lips before telling him to “suck” his tongue.
Footage of the uncomfortable incident showed the moment a Tibetan spiritual leader invited the boy on stage during a charity event at his temple in Dharamshala, India in February 2023.
In the video, the boy asks the Dalai Lama “Can I hug you?” To which Tenzin Jyutsu replied, “Okay – come on!”
The spiritual leader first asks the boy to kiss him on the cheek before pointing to his lips. He grabs the boy’s face as they kiss briefly, then the couple press their foreheads together.
As soon as the boy goes to turn away, the Dalai Lama commands him: “And suck my tongue” — prompting him to slowly move forward towards the tongue of this 87-year-old.
What other controversies has the Dalai Lama been involved in?
This is not the first time the Dalai Lama himself has fallen into hot water.
In 2019, the spiritual leader had to make an apology after saying that any woman who succeeded him in reincarnation “should be more attractive.”
After being asked about the possibility of reincarnation being a woman, he said, ‘If a female Dalai Lama comes, she must be more attractive.
He suggested that otherwise, “people I think would prefer, not (to) see, that face”. He also said in 2015 that a female Dalai Lama would “not be of much use”.
The Dalai Lama also accused former US President Donald Trump of “lack of moral principles”.
He said Trump’s feelings were ‘a little complicated’, before chiding Trump’s slogan, America First, saying, ‘This is wrong. America must take global responsibility.
What did the Dalai Lama say about immigration?
The Dalai Lama’s previous comments on immigration also caused a stir.
Commenting on migration to Europe, he said that the continent should educate and train migrants with a view to returning them home.
The 83-year-old said: “European countries have to take these refugees and provide them with education and training, and the goal is – to return to their land with certain skills.”
“The whole of Europe eventually becomes a Muslim country? Impossible. Or an African country. It is also impossible… Save Europe for the Europeans.”
The new statement said those comments “may have been misinterpreted,” saying it was “estimated that many of those leaving their countries may not wish or be able to return.”
In September 2018, he said: “When refugees from other countries come to Europe, it is great that Germany and other European countries help them.
However, I think most of these refugees think their land is home, but now there is a lot of killing, bullying and suffering there.
That’s why they ran away. Therefore, in the short term, European countries should provide them with shelter, and should especially provide children with education and training facilities, including mechanical training for young people.
The Dalai Lama was forced to issue an apology in 2019 for saying that any woman who succeeded him “should be more attractive.”
Who is the Dalai Lama?
The Dalai Lama is a title given by the Tibetan people to the most prominent leader of the Gelug, or “Yellow Hat,” school of Tibetan Buddhism.
He is currently living as a refugee in India after he fled the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, during the Tibetan uprising of 1959.
The Dalai Lama represents Buddhist values and traditions, and is seen as important to Tibetan independence.
After winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, he was the subject of much attention around the world.
However, the flow of invitations to meet with world leaders and Hollywood stars has slowed, in part because the aging leader has cut back on his difficult travel schedule, but also because of China’s growing economic and political clout.
Beijing accuses him of wanting to divide China, calling him “a wolf in a monk’s robe.”
