Dalai Lama apologises for ‘suck my tongue’ incident with young boy, BBC explains Tibetan custom
South Africans have joined a worldwide outcry at the Dalai Lama’s behaviour when he recently greeted a young boy on stage with not only a hug and kiss on the lips, but also an offer to the child to “suck my tongue”. For many South Africans, the kiss on the lips would not have been […]
South Africans have joined a worldwide outcry at the Dalai Lama’s behaviour when he recently greeted a young boy on stage with not only a hug and kiss on the lips, but also an offer to the child to “suck my tongue”.
For many South Africans, the kiss on the lips would not have been as shocking as it is to most of the rest of the world who only kiss on the cheek. That’s the nature of cultural traditions. But the ‘suck my tongue’ comment unleashed outrage in SA too.
Many called the 87-year-old’s behaviour “sick” and “predatory”. Former GCIS and Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi tweeted: “Why did you even have such a filthy and revolting thought? You are truly disgusting. You are a menace to children.”
However, supporters of the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso (known to the Tibetan people as Gyalwa Rinpoche) have pointed out that sticking out your tongue is a “form of respect” in Tibet; and that that is why the adults gathered at the Dalai Lama’s temple in Dharamshala still laughed and applauded… because no harm was intended.
In a 2014 BBC guide to greetings around the world, it explained the Tibetan culture of sticking out one’s tongue:
“In most countries sticking out your tongue would be considered a bit rude, but in Tibet it’s a way of greeting. It has been a tradition since the 9th century, the time of an unpopular king called Lang Darma, who was known for his black tongue. People in Tibet, thought that the king had been reborn, so to prove they weren’t the king, they would show their tongues. The traditional greeting is now a form of respect.”
There’s no mention however about sucking on said tongue.
The incident took place on 28 February, according to the BBC. In the video below, the boy can be seen requesting permission to hug the Dalai Lama. When it’s granted, the Dalai Lama says he can kiss his cheek, then his lips, and then they put their foreheads together before the tongue suggestion is made.
The religious leader advises the young boy to be inspired by “good human beings who create peace and happiness” and not by bad people who kill.
On Monday, the 14th Dalai Lama’s office issued the following apology:
“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 apologize 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, even in public and before cameras. He regrets the incident.”
The Dalai Lama’s popularity has waned in recent years, in part due to China’s rising influence, and alleged pressure on countries like South Africa to not allow him to visit. In 2011, Archbishop Desmond Tutu was angered by the ANC government’s refusal to grant the Dalai Lama a visa to attend Tutu’s 80th birthday, saying “our government is worse than the apartheid government because at least you would expect it with the apartheid government”.
The two Nobel peace laureates – Tutu and the Dalai Lama – were good friends and co-authored ‘The Book of Joy’.
WATCH the full interaction between the Dalai Lama and the young boy
— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) April 10, 2023
Why is the Dalai Lama fondling this young boy and asking him to “suck his tongue”? pic.twitter.com/cZWHfbgTAd
— Stew Peters (@realstewpeters) April 9, 2023