Abuse survivors rip Dalai Lama for tongue incident
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An abuse survivors’ network has ripped the Dalai Lama for asking a young Indian boy to kiss him and to “suck his tongue.”
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The incident was captured on video this week and was met with widespread criticism, though some said the Dalai Lama was just joking around.
The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), a U.S.-based organization that supports the survivors of spiritual and religious abuse, had a strong statement about the incident this week, according to the Daily Mail.
“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,” SNAP said in a statement.
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“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 abuse survivors’ network said.
Footage of the 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?’
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.
The office of the Dalai Lama posted a formal statement on social media this week, apologizing.
“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,” 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.
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