Dalai Lama's video asking minor boy to suck his tongue courts controversy

Lalit Mohan

Dharamsala, April 9

A video of the Dalai Lama purportedly asking a minor boy to suck his tongue has gone viral, evoking strong reaction.

Though there was no reaction from the office of the Dalai Lama, in Tibetan culture, sticking one’s tongue out is a sign of greeting and respect. The staff of the Dalai Lama did not respond to phone calls and WhatsApp messages.

The Dalai Lama had earlier courted a controversy when he had said in an interview that his successor could be a woman but she should be attractive. The comments of the Dalai Lama had evoked strong reaction from feminist groups. He had later apologised for the comments.

The Dalai Lama had recently recognised a US-born Mongolian boy staying in the USA as Khalka Jetsun Dhampa Rinpoche, a third high ranking Lama in Tibetan Buddhism. The Chinese government has been claiming that it would decide on reincarnation of the present Dalai Lama with Tibetan government in exile strongly resisting the move.

One of the top Lamas of Tibetans, Panchen Lama who plays a role in selecting the next Dalai Lama, was already under the control of the Chinese government. As per the Tibetan government in exile, the child was taken into custody by the Chinese government just after he was recognised as Panchen Lama by the Dalai Lama. The Tibetans have been carrying out a campaign for the last two decades seeking whereabouts of Panchen Lama.

Another important Tibetan Lama, the Karmapa, who had left India a couple of ago, has not returned.