The Dalai Lama apologized Monday after footage surfaced online showing the 87-year-old kissing a young boy and asking him to suck his tongue. The video took place in a public event in Dalai Lama’s temple in Dharamsala, India late February.
The Dalai Lama, Lhamo Thondup, is the world’s best-known living Buddhist figure. He is revered by his followers as the 14th reincarnation of his predecessors. Photo by Ben Stansall, Getty Images 
His Holiness has come under fire for visibly kissing a young boy on the lips and asking the child to suck his tongue in February. Photo by Tenzin Jamphel 
The Dalai Lama addresses thousands of his followers at Arunachal Pradesh. Photo by Tenzin Choejor, Associated Press 
His Holiness travels the world spreading teachings of peace and compassion to his followers. Photo by Tenzin Jamphel 
The Dalai Lama greeting his followers at the Main Tibetan Temple before beginning his teachings. Photo by Tenzin Choejor 
The Dalai Lama has been involved in multiple controversies, prompting the public to push him to step down from his position. Photo by Tenzin Phende, DIIR 
During a ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple, the Dalai Lama exchanges greetings with the former Gaden Tripa Rizong Rinpoche. Photo by Tenzin Choejor 
Thai monks listen to the teachings of the Dalai Lama and learn from him at the Main Tibetan Temple. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
In the video, the young kid was seen going towards the Nobel Peace Prize winner before asking, “Can I hug you?”
The Dalai Lama then invited the boy on stage and that is when the leader pointed towards his cheek persuading the boy to hug him and kiss him.
After, he pointed towards his lips and said, “I think here also,” before he kissed the boy in the mouth, which was followed by a laughing and cheering crowd.
The Dalai Lama took things further when he stuck his tongue out and said, “and suck my tongue.”
This was followed by what appeared to show the boy leaning his head forward and touching the leader on the forward head before backing out.
It is that moment that sparked backlash towards the Dalai Lama. One video spreading through Twitter has been viewed at least 3.1 million times.
After the outcry the spiritual leader received due to the incident, he tweeted an apology. It said, “His Holiness wishes to apologize to the boy and his family, as well as his many friends across the world.”
A statement released by the leader said that it was a cultural practice to stick their tongue out. The prominent Delhi -based child rights group, Haq: Center for Child rights, told CNN in a statement otherwise.
“Some news refers to Tibetan culture about showing tongue, but this video is certainly not about any cultural expression and even if it is, such cultural expressions are not acceptable,” the group said.
The child rights group isn’t the only organization that has responded. The video has been causing a stir among thousands of people from around the world condemning the acts through social media.
The issue has prompted a trend of #DalaiLamaGoOut as part of calls for the leader to step down.
The controversy has also inspired celebrities like Cardi-B to weigh-in, slamming the actions of the Dalai Lama on social media.
“This world is full of predators. They prey on the innocent. The ones who are most unknowing, our children. Predators could be our neighbors, our school teachers, even people with money, power & our churches. Constantly talk with your kids about boundaries and what they shouldn’t allow people to do to them,” tweeted the rapper.
This wouldn’t be the first time that the spiritual leader is caught in a deep controversy. In the past he has sparked controversy like when he said, “Europeans should remain only Europeans,” referring to an increased level of African refugees fleeing to Europe.
On Monday, the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama concluded in its statement that read, “His Holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras. He regrets the incident.”
