The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibet and the foremost figure in the Gelug or “Yellow Hat” school of Tibetan Buddhism. In February, a video of the Dalai Lama kiss boy on the lips and asking him to suck his tongue went viral, sparking backlash and criticism.
Who Is Dalai Lama
The title “Dalai Lama” is given by the Tibetan people to a line of tulkus, who are believed to be incarnations of Avalokiteśvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
The 14th and current Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyatso, who was born on July 6, 1935, in Taktser, Tibet (now part of China). He has been living as a refugee in India since 1959, following the Chinese occupation of Tibet.
Tenzin Gyatso was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two, in accordance with Tibetan tradition.
As the spiritual leader of Tibet, he has dedicated his life to advocating for peace, nonviolence, and the preservation of Tibetan culture and heritage.
In 1989, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent struggle for the liberation of Tibet. Throughout his life, the Dalai Lama has worked tirelessly to promote tolerance, mutual respect, and compassion, both within and beyond the Tibetan community.
In addition to his spiritual leadership, the Dalai Lama has made significant contributions to education, culture, and religion. In 1963, he promulgated a draft constitution for Tibet, which assures a democratic form of government.
He has also established various institutions that have played a crucial role in preserving the Tibetan identity and its rich heritage. Despite facing extreme aggression, the Dalai Lama has consistently advocated for policies of nonviolence and peaceful solutions to conflicts.
Why Did Dalai Lama Kiss Boy
The incident took place at a public event in Dharamsala, India, at the temple where the 87-year-old spiritual leader resides. The gathering was attended by around 100 young students who had just graduated from the Indian M3M Foundation.
The video shows the young boy asking the Dalai Lama for a hug. In response, the Dalai Lama points to his cheek, saying “first here,” after which the boy kisses him on the cheek.
The spiritual leader then points to his own lips and asks for another kiss, followed by the request for the boy to “suck my tongue.” The audience laughed as the interaction unfolded.
Many people online condemned the Dalai Lama’s behavior as inappropriate and disturbing. In response to the backlash, the Dalai Lama issued an apology, stating that he often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras.
He expressed regret for the incident and apologized to the boy, his family, and his friends across the world for any hurt his words may have caused.
Conclusion
The Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the holiest figure in Tibetan Buddhism and has lived in exile in India since 1959 when Tibet was annexed by China.
He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his nonviolent action against China’s occupation of Tibet. Despite his revered status, this incident has raised concerns about the appropriateness of his actions in this particular situation.
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