A viral video of the Dalai Lama asking a young schoolboy to “suck his tongue” has sparked worldwide outrage. The spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism is currently facing backlash from people all over the world calling his actions “disgusting” and demanding that he be charged for sexual assault. Although he did issue an apology, it looks like critics won’t let the incident slip that easily.

Viral: The Dalai Lama asks a child to suck his tongue

JUST IN: The Dalai Lama affectionately plants a kiss on the lips of a young Indian boy. “Suck my tongue.” pic.twitter.com/3vsHcQOa7U

— The Herald Post (@TheHeraldPostUS) April 9, 2023

In the viral video, an Indian schoolboy goes up to the Dalai Lama for a hug, which the latter grants. After the hug, the 87-year-old man points to his lips saying “Here also,” before kissing the young boy. And then he tells the child “Suck my tongue” before sticking his tongue out and pulling the boy in, forehead to forehead. The boy quickly sticks out his own tongue and moves away while the crowd is laughing.

Dalai Lama supporters and followers insist that the clip was misinterpreted and sensationalized. Many reasoned that sticking one’s tongue out was a traditional Tibetan greeting. This video even said that in Tibetan culture, it’s normal for parents to kiss their children on the mouth to say goodbye. While all this is true, however, the tradition does not include asking another person — a stranger — to suck your tongue as a way of greeting.

The Internet is disgusted

The fact that the Dalai Lama – one of the most prominent spiritual leaders in the world – isn’t trending right now for asking a young boy to “suck his tongue” just proves that we’ve entered a new era of utter depravity.

They are ALL revealing themselves and it’s absolutely sick. pic.twitter.com/ZigTpcVHpW

— Scotty 🎸🎶 (@ScottyGoesAgain) April 9, 2023

As the video continued to make rounds on the Internet, many have called the Dalai Lama’s actions “disgusting,” “inappropriate,” and “vile.” The Dalai Lama received heavy criticism from people saying what he did wasn’t a simple greeting — it was sexual assault.

“We’ve entered a new era of utter depravity,” lamented one Twitter user. “They are ALL revealing themselves and it’s absolutely sick.”

Many said they’ve lost respect for what should’ve been a holy figure. Some are even demanding that the spiritual leader should be charged with sexual assault and investigated.

“The Dalai Lama needs to be brought up on charges. He needs to be investigated. If this is what he’s comfortable doing in an open space, then really what we need to be finding out is what’s happening to children behind the scenes.” @VirgilWalkerOMA pic.twitter.com/GD54D1Mnj9

— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) April 13, 2023

“If this is what he’s comfortable doing in an open space, then really what we need to be finding out is what’s happening to children behind the scenes,” said Virgil Walker, from G3 Ministries.

The Dalai Lama issues an apology

pic.twitter.com/vlmUbI4vqz

— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) April 10, 2023

Shortly after the video went viral, the Dalai Lama posted a short apology on social media on April 10. The statement reads: “His holiness wishes 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.”

“His holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras. He regrets the incident,” it adds.

The post currently has 11.4k likes on Twitter and has over 2.5k comments from people not accepting the apology.

“Your recent behavior is unacceptable, especially since you are considered an authority figure and role model when it comes to moral behavior,” replied one Twitter user. “The statement from your office is not only unacceptable, but also unsympathetic and remorseless.”

Another said: “It wasn’t his ‘words’ that upset people. It was the kiss on the lips and him asking the boy to ‘suck his tongue.’ The Dalai Lama isn’t taking ownership of that inappropriate behavior.”

It wasn’t his “words” that upset people. It was the kiss on the lips and him asking the boy to “suck his tongue.” The Dalai Lama isn’t taking ownership of that inappropriate behavior.

— Caleb Parke (@calebparke) April 10, 2023

“You think asking a child to suck your tongue is “playful”? Or “innocent”? Religious/spiritual leaders get away with so much bullsh*t,” commented another netizen.

The boy speaks about the experience

In the wake of the controversy over a misleading clip of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, please watch this important video of @VOT_Tibetan interviewing the young boy and his mother pic.twitter.com/4cG6ulVDgH

— International Campaign for Tibet (@SaveTibetOrg) April 13, 2023

Adults all over the world might have been upset over the viral video but the young Indian boy involved did not see anything wrong with the Dalai Lama’s actions. Another video is circulating online of a short interview with the boy after his interaction with “His Holiness.”

“It’s a really nice feeling meeting him and you get a lot of that positive energy. It’s not just, like, that, but once you get the positive energy, I think you’re happier, and it’s a better thing and you smile a lot more. It was a really good experience overall,” said the young schoolboy.

What do you think about the Dalai Lama viral video? Share your thoughts with us below!

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