Dalai Lama apologizes after video shows him kissing boy
DHARAMSALA, India (AP) — Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama apologized Monday after a video showing him kissing a child on the lips triggered criticism.
A statement posted on his official website said the 87-year-old leader regretted the incident and wished 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 incident occurred at a public gathering in February at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamsala, where the exiled leader lives. He was taking questions from the audience when the boy asked if he could hug him.
Ashwini Bhatia
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in a ceremonial yellow hat arrives at the Tsuglakhang temple to give a sermon in Dharamshala, India, Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama apologized Monday after a video showing him kissing a child on the lips provoked outrage.(AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia,file)
The Dalai Lama invited the boy up toward the platform he was seated on. In the video, he gestured to his cheek, after which the child kissed him before giving him a hug.
The Dalai Lama then asked the boy to kiss him on the lips and stuck out his tongue. “And suck my tongue,” the Dalai Lama can be heard saying as the boy sticks out his own tongue and leans in, prompting laughter from the audience.
The footage triggered a backlash online with social media users condemning his behavior as inappropriate and disturbing.
“His Holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras,” the statement from the Dalai Lama read.
The Dalai Lama has made the hillside town of Dharmsala his headquarters since fleeing from Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. India considers Tibet to be part of China, though it hosts Tibetan exiles.
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Dalai Lama apologizes after video shows him kissing boyMark Schiefelbein
Chinese tourists in Tibetan dress pose for a photo at a square near the Potala Palace in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Mark SchiefelbeinChinese tourists in Tibetan dress pose for a photo at a square near the Potala Palace in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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Dalai Lama apologizes after video shows him kissing boyMark Schiefelbein
Tourists climb a flight of stairs at the Potala Palace in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Mark SchiefelbeinTourists climb a flight of stairs at the Potala Palace in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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Dalai Lama apologizes after video shows him kissing boyMark Schiefelbein
Tourists stand near a large mural depicting Chinese President Xi Jinping on a square near the Potala Palace in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Mark SchiefelbeinTourists stand near a large mural depicting Chinese President Xi Jinping on a square near the Potala Palace in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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Dalai Lama apologizes after video shows him kissing boyMark Schiefelbein
A Chinese tourist in Tibetan dress poses for a photo in a courtyard at the Potala Palace in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Mark SchiefelbeinA Chinese tourist in Tibetan dress poses for a photo in a courtyard at the Potala Palace in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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Dalai Lama apologizes after video shows him kissing boyMark Schiefelbein
Tourists look at merchandise for sale at a souvenir shop outside of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Mark SchiefelbeinTourists look at merchandise for sale at a souvenir shop outside of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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Dalai Lama apologizes after video shows him kissing boyMark Schiefelbein
Tourists walk down a flight of steps at the Potala Palace in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Mark SchiefelbeinTourists walk down a flight of steps at the Potala Palace in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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Dalai Lama apologizes after video shows him kissing boyMark Schiefelbein
A construction worker labors at a hotel being built in a neighborhood of tourist homestays in Zhaxigang village near Nyingchi in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Friday, June 4, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Mark SchiefelbeinA construction worker labors at a hotel being built in a neighborhood of tourist homestays in Zhaxigang village near Nyingchi in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Friday, June 4, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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Dalai Lama apologizes after video shows him kissing boyMark Schiefelbein
Tourists walk along the lakeshore and ride a pony in Namtso in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Wednesday, June 2, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Mark SchiefelbeinTourists walk along the lakeshore and ride a pony in Namtso in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Wednesday, June 2, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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Dalai Lama apologizes after video shows him kissing boyMark Schiefelbein
A woman in ethnic dress adjusts a bedspread at her tourist homestay in Zhaxigang village near Nyingchi in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Friday, June 4, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Mark SchiefelbeinA woman in ethnic dress adjusts a bedspread at her tourist homestay in Zhaxigang village near Nyingchi in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Friday, June 4, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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Dalai Lama apologizes after video shows him kissing boyMark Schiefelbein
A Tibetan man stands in a courtyard as a tour guide gives a lecture to tourists at the Potala Palace in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Mark SchiefelbeinA Tibetan man stands in a courtyard as a tour guide gives a lecture to tourists at the Potala Palace in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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Dalai Lama apologizes after video shows him kissing boyMark Schiefelbein
Tourists wait to climb steps to an interior area at the Potala Palace in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Mark SchiefelbeinTourists wait to climb steps to an interior area at the Potala Palace in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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Dalai Lama apologizes after video shows him kissing boyMark Schiefelbein
Members of a Chinese tour group shop at a souvenir shop outside of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Mark SchiefelbeinMembers of a Chinese tour group shop at a souvenir shop outside of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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Dalai Lama apologizes after video shows him kissing boyMark Schiefelbein
A tourist takes a smartphone photo at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Mark SchiefelbeinA tourist takes a smartphone photo at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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Dalai Lama apologizes after video shows him kissing boyMark Schiefelbein
Tourists use earpieces to listen to a lecture at the Potala Palace in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Mark SchiefelbeinTourists use earpieces to listen to a lecture at the Potala Palace in Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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Dalai Lama apologizes after video shows him kissing boyMark Schiefelbein
A Chinese tourist gets ready to pose for a photo atop a white yak being led by a Tibetan man in Namtso in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Wednesday, June 2, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Mark SchiefelbeinA Chinese tourist gets ready to pose for a photo atop a white yak being led by a Tibetan man in Namtso in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Wednesday, June 2, 2021. Tourism is booming in Tibet as more Chinese travel in-country because of the coronavirus pandemic, posing risks to the region's fragile environment and historic sites. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
