Charles Teves
On Monday, April 10, the Tibetan community’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, apologized after a video of him kissing a young Indian boy and asking him to suck his tongue circulated widely online.
The video, recorded during a public event in India, has drawn widespread criticism, with child rights organizations and social media users labeling the act as inappropriate and calling for the 87-year-old Buddhist head monk to step down.
The event occurred on February 28 at the Dalai Lama’s temple in Dharamshala. The video shows the Nobel Peace Prize laureate seated in a chair with the boy standing in front of him and several people nearby, including one holding a cell phone.
The Dalai Lama is seen holding the boy’s hand, pointing to his mouth, and kissing the boy on the lips, with people in the background clapping and laughing.
The leader then places his forehead against the boy’s forehead and sticks out his tongue, saying, “and suck my tongue.” The laughter in the background decreases after this.
The office of the Dalai Lama stated that the spiritual leader regrets his actions.
“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.”
— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) April 10, 2023
“His holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras. He regrets the incident,” it added.
Filipinos also reacted to the disgusting action.
— Alex (@anakngartista) April 11, 2023
Still not a drag queen. https://t.co/VFdyQ24Gmn
— Manila Luzon (@manilaluzon) April 11, 2023
errr…. Um… wha?? https://t.co/eIn4Kf3nYv
— Suzette Doctolero (@SuziDoctolero) April 10, 2023
I don’t think that’s an issue that will go away with just a simple apology. https://t.co/IArVNx7gw4
— Dale Bacar (@dalebacar) April 10, 2023
ano bang meron sa religious leaders and palaging may inclination for sexual predation https://t.co/ZCYCIvnBQj
— Terri Joe Marie Fortenberry Support Group Leader (@akazukinchan2x) April 10, 2023
Gays decided to attack Christians.
kaya wala talaga akong tiwala sa mga religious figures. 🤢🤢🤢 https://t.co/87XV8pVQ8I
— Justin Dizon (@iamjustindizon) April 10, 2023
Recently, singer Jaya caught heat for her views on LGBT. Jaya emphasized that she has no ill will towards transgender individuals and that she loves everyone, including her closest friends in the LGBTQIA+ community who, she says, know her well. She made this statement through her Twitter account on Thursday, April 6, a few days after she responded to comedian John Lapus, who hinted at an unnamed singer for allegedly liking anti-transgender tweets.
Jaya said to her followers on Twitter that they have the freedom to do, say, and believe as they please and pointed out that they can unfollow her on the platform if they so desire.
“Thank you and this will be it for now. Will rest and pray for wisdom,” she stated. “Father in Heaven, please take the wheel. I only have love for you all.”
“To all my LGBT friends, who have been my closest friends for more than 40 years and who do know me well, love you and you know my [heart],” she continued.
Trigger warning… https://t.co/LWXivi43pQ
— Barnaby Lo 吳宗鴻 (@barnabychuck) April 10, 2023
NO! SICK! I don’t know what I would’ve done if that was my boy.
— vance (@vancelarena_) April 10, 2023
Trigger warning: Pedophilia
Dalai Lama calls up a minor boy, kisses him on lips, asks for a tongue kiss as well. Also, notice where he takes the boy’s hand. This is disgusting and appears to be a case of child molestation.pic.twitter.com/3O8nEabwiK
— Saif (@isaifpatel) April 8, 2023
This is not the first time that the Dalai Lama has faced criticism for his public remarks. In 2019, as reported by CNN, he apologized for suggesting that a female Dalai Lama should be attractive.
And in 2018, he was criticized for suggesting that Europe should only be for Europeans while discussing the issue of African refugees, as reported by the same outlet.
