The Dalai Lama's most controversial moments

The Dalai Lama has been the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism since the age of 15 and is considered the 14th incarnation of the Buddha of compassion. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his nonviolent struggle for the liberation of Tibet.

But in 2023, the leader of Tibetan Buddism apologized after a video emerged that showed him engaged in seemingly inappropriate behavior with a young boy at a public event in northern India, the latest in a serious of controversial moments.

Like many faithful Buddhists and non-Buddhists, a young boy felt inspired to ask His Holiness the Dalai Lama for a hug. The Dalai Lama invited him on stage but said: "First here," pointing to his cheek.

Still from Video: VOA Tibetan

After giving him a hug and kiss on the cheek, the boy was smiling. But the Dalai Lama said, "here also," pointing to his lips and puckering his mouth.

Still from Video: VOA Tibetan

The boy got close but hesitated to kiss the old spiritual leader on the lips. The Dalai Lama then grabbed the boy’s chin and pulled him in for a smooch, laughing.

Still from Video: VOA Tibetan

After looking into the little boy’s eyes for some time, the Tibetan master told the boy to "s u c k" his tongue. He then proceeded to stick out his tongue. People in the crowd laughed.

Still from Video: VOA Tibetan

The boy then put his forehead on the Dalai Lama’s and brought his head close in. But he never actually did what the Dalai Lama requested. Instead, he stuck his tongue out a few inches away. The Buddhist leader quickly retracted, laughing.

Still from Video: VOA Tibetan

After that, the Buddhist leader said: "We are same human brothers and sisters" - a common phrase in his speeches. Then, he gave the boy a long hug. At one point, the boy recoiled from the hug, but he was held in place by the Dalai Lama.

The kissing incident took place in late February at the Dalai Lama’s temple in Dharamshala, India. He hosted an event for 100 students who had graduated from the Indian M3M Foundation, according to the Guardian.

Internet users quickly began commenting on and sharing the video. People called it "sick" or "depraved" and accused the Buddhist leader of child abuse and grooming.

Image: Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu / Twitter

In response to the outrage, the Dalai Lama published a remarkable statement on Twitter.

"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," reads the statement on Twitter. "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 continues: "His Holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras. He regrets the incident."

Sticking out one's tongue used to be a normal greeting in Tibetan culture. It began because non-Buddhists were said to have black tongues. As seen in this photo, the further the tongue is out, the greater respect one has for the other. However, "s u c k i n g" the tongue has nothing to do with tradition.

In 2019, his office apologized for another comment the Dalai Lama made. At that time, he said: "If a female Dalai Lama comes, she should be more attractive," adding that if she was ugly, "then people, I think, prefer not [to] see that face." In this case, too, his office said it was all a joke.

Although he promotes non-violence and won the Nobel Peace Prize, the Dalai Lama has said that certain wars were good, like World War II and the Korean War. In 2003, he said the US-led war in Afghanistan may have been justified and that the war in Iraq was "more complicated."

The Dalai Lama also got in trouble with his left-wing followers when he said "Europe belongs to Europeans" during the refugee crisis in the wake of the Syrian war.

This year, the narrative that the Dalai Lama was complicit in slavery or even a slaveowner also gained traction online. However, critics say that is a Chinese talking point, as Beijing claims China invaded Tibet to liberate Tibetans from serfdom. However, experts told the BBC that's not exactly true, as Tibetan society never viewed people as commodities.

Despite his controversies, he sent a message on his 88th birthday vowing that he will continue to "aspire to bring peace to the world by spreading an understanding of the oneness of humanity." In return, he asked: "if you, my friends, can guard your minds and lead good-natured lives you will be joyful at heart and as a result will be able, directly and indirectly, to help everyone around you.”