Under Fire For Viral Video ; Dalai Lama Regrets Incident ; Apologises To Boy And His Family

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The Dalai Lama has issued an apology expressing his regret after a purported video of him kissing a boy and asking him to “suck his tongue” triggered a social media uproar.

An official statement released by the office of the Dalai Lama stated that the Tibetan spiritual leader “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.”

“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 statement said.

The Buddhist spiritual leader’s remarks follow after a video clip started circulating on social media that showed him meeting a young boy.

The purported video shows the Dalai Lama kissing the boy on his lips as the latter leaned in to pay his respects.