Abuse survivors' network blasts Dalai Lama's 'blatantly sexual act' after he asked a 12-year-old boy to suck his tongue in public - before the 87-year-old head monk's office said he was just being 'playful'
- SNAP support group strongly criticized actions of the Dalai Lama captured on video kissing a young boy on the lips before asking the child to 'suck' his tongue
- In a statement group expressed their horror stating their primary concern is for innocent boy who was the subject of the 'disgusting request' by spiritual figure
- Group also criticized a statement released on behalf of Buddhist enlightenment for minimizing the incident
An abuse survivors' network has blasted the actions of the Dalai Lama which saw him kissing a young Indian boy on the lips before asking him to 'suck' his tongue.
The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, a U.S.-based organization that supports the survivors of spiritual and religious abuse expressed their disgust on Monday following the release of the disturbing footage.
'We are as horrified as any viewer by the actions of the Dalai Lama. 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 minimizing statement released on behalf of Buddhist enlightenment,' the abuse support network SNAP said in a statement.
'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,' the statement read.
Footage of the uncomfortable incident showed the moment the Tibetan spiritual leader invited the boy on stage during a charity event at his temple in Dharamshala, India in February.
In the video, the boy asks the Dalai Lama 'can I hug you?', to which Tenzin Gyatso responds: 'Okay - come!'
The spiritual leader first asks the boy to kiss him on the cheek, before pointing at his lips. He holds the boy's face as they briefly kiss, then the pair press their foreheads together.
Just as the boy goes to pull away, the Dalai Lama instructs him: 'And suck my tongue' - prompting him to slowly inch forward towards the 87-year-old's outstretched tongue.
Attendees of the event, held by India's M3M Foundation, can be heard laughing as the boy sits awkwardly in front of the aged Tibetan Buddhist leader and nervously follows his orders.
Before letting the child go, the Dalai Lama imparts some wisdom, telling him to 'look to those good human beings who create peace, happiness' and not to 'follow those human beings who always kill other people'.
Some supporters of the Dalai Lama sprang to his defence, claiming their leader was simply 'joking around'.
But the clip has sparked outrage on social media, with commentators branding the Dalai Lama's actions 'scandalous', 'disgusting' and 'absolutely sick'.
Others went as far as to describe him as an 'insidious false prophet'.
'Utterly shocked to see this display by the #DalaiLama. In the past too, he's had to apologise for his sexist comments. But saying 'now suck my tongue' to a small boy is disgusting,' wrote user Sangita.
Another poster, Rakhi Tripathi, said: 'What did I just see? What that child must be feeling? Disgusting.'
The office of the spiritual leader posted a formal statement on social media today apologising for 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,' the statement read.
'His Holiness often teases the people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras,' it added.
'He regrets the incident.'
The Dalai Lama remains the universally recognized face of the movement for Tibetan autonomy.
But the global spotlight he enjoyed after winning the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize has dimmed and the deluge of invitations to hobnob with world leaders and Hollywood stars has slowed, partly because the aging leader has cut back on his punishing travel schedule, but also due to China's growing economic and political clout.
Beijing accuses him of wanting to split China, and has referred to him as a 'wolf in a monk's robe'.
In 2019, the Dalai Lama apologised for saying that if his successor were to be a woman, she would have to be 'more attractive'.
He was 'deeply sorry' and 'genuinely meant no offence' after his comment sparked a global backlash.
The monk's office said his 'off-the-cuff remarks' had 'lost their humour in translation', insisting he was a strong supporter of women's rights.
The comments, which were criticised around the world, were made in an interview with the BBC.
Then just weeks ago, the spiritual leader courted more controversy when he named an eight-year-old boy with joint US and Mongolian nationality as the reincarnation of the third most important spiritual leader in Tibetan Buddhism.
The formal title of the child, who is said to have a twin, is the tenth Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa Rinpoché - the third most important spiritual leader in Tibetan Buddhism and the faith's leader in Mongolia, according to The Times.
Rumours about the boy's identity had swirled around the spiritual community for years, but his existence has only now been confirmed with his public appearance in India, where the Dalai Lama lives in exile.
The unveiling sparked fury in China, which previously said it will only recognise Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leaders their special government-approved appointees have chosen.
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2023-04-10 23:21:10Z
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