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Dalai Lama apologises after video of him kissing boy on lips and asking him to ‘suck his tongue’ sparked backlash
THE Dalai Lama has issued an apology after a creepy clip of him kissing a young boy on the lips sparked outrage.
The Tibetan spiritual leader was met with furious backlash after he asked the child to "suck his tongue" in the viral footage.
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He has since issued an apology to the youngster, but insisted his actions were simply "innocent and playful".
In the controversial video, the Dalai Lama is seen being embraced by the boy as he sat alongside other religious figures at an event.
He then instructs the child to kiss his lips by gesturing with his hands, even grabbing the boy's chin to direct him - as the audience laughs.
The 87-year-old then caresses the schoolboy's face before pressing their foreheads against one another.
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The Dalai Lama is then seen sticking his tongue out before telling the kid: "Suck my tongue," while the audience chuckles and applauds.
The uncomfortable footage was slammed by internet users, despite some explaining sticking one's tongue out can be a form of greeting in Tibet.
The religious leader has now issued an apology to the boy and his family, saying he "regrets the incident" in a statement on his Twitter account.
It read: "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.
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"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 has been living in exile in India since fleeing Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule.
He is regarded as a dangerous separatist by Beijing, despite working for decades to draw global support for linguistic and cultural autonomy in his remote, mountainous homeland.
He now lives in a compound next to a temple ringed by green hills and snow-capped mountains in the northern Indian town of Dharamshala.
The Dalai Lama previously came under fire for joking that his female successor would have to be attractive, "otherwise it's not much use."
He sparked further fury in the same interview by saying that Europe would become Muslim if refugees didn't eventually leave.
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