Dalai Lama defended for 'Tibetan way of expression' after asking boy to 'suck his tongue'

Supporters and followers of the Dalai Lama have defended the spiritual leader after a video of him kissing a boy and asking him to 'suck' his tongue received intense backlash.

The 87-year-old has publicly apologised to the boy and his family, and anyone else who was hurt by his actions, and said he 'regrets the incident'.

But supporters have insisted the exchange was standard in Tibetan culture.

VOA

In the footage, which has since been shared widely online, a young student is called up on to the stage where the Dalai Lama is speaking, and asks the leader: "Can I hug you?"

After the pair hug, the Dalai Lama points to his cheek for the young boy to kiss, then points to his lips and tells him: "I think finally here also," pulling the boy's chin toward him.

Finally, he tells the boy to 'suck my tongue' sticking his out as he touches heads with the child.

Naturally, the video sparked uproar worldwide.

In the Dalai Lama's own statement, no reference was made to Tibetan traditions or culture.

It read: "A video clip has been circulating that shows a recent meeting when a young boy asked His Holiness the Dalai Lama if he could give him a hug.

“His Holiness wishes to apologise 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. He regrets the incident."

However, Tibetan activists are now claiming that the Dalai Lama shouldn't be attacked over using a 'Tibetan way of expression'.

Namdol Lhagyari, a Tibetan activist in exile, took to Twitter to defend the Dalai Lama this week.

"Expression of emotions and manners today has been melted together and become vividly westernised," she complained.

VOA

"Bringing in narrative of other cultures, customs and social influence on gender and sexuality to interpret Tibetan way of expression is heinous.”

He added: "With due respect, I don’t see the need of apology for the playful and tongue-in-cheek demeanour His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is applauded worldwide for."

While it's true that sticking out your tongue is seen as a greeting or a sign of respect that has been practiced for centuries in Tibetan culture, there's no mention of sucking the tongue.

While Tibetans still insist that the video is being misinterpreted and used to discredit the Dalai Lama, an abuse survivors' networks has already spoken out against the 'blatantly sexual act'.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), a US-based organisation that supports the survivors of spiritual and religious abuse, said in a statement this week: “We are as horrified as any viewer by the actions of the Dalai Lama.

AGENZIA SINTESI / Alamy Stock Photo

"Our primary concern is with the innocent boy who was the subject of this disgusting request by a revered spiritual figure.

“Additionally, it is just as disturbing to read the minimising statement released on behalf of Buddhist enlightenment.

“An 87-year-old man asking a young boy to perform a blatantly sexual act in a public setting is very disturbing.

"We feel it is important that every single person who sees, suspects, or suffers child sex crimes, regardless of the level of crime, contact law enforcement to report it.”