The head of Tibet’s government-in-exile, Penpa Tsering, has come to the defense of the Dalai Lama after a video of the Buddhist leader went viral on social media. The video shows the Dalai Lama asking a boy to suck his tongue and giving him a peck on the lips. The incident sparked a wave of condemnation on social media, with many accusing the Dalai Lama of abuse. However, Tsering has defended the 87-year-old Nobel peace laureate, saying that the incident demonstrated his innocent and affectionate side.
Tsering, who is the Sikyong or political leader of the exiled Central Tibetan Administration, said that the Dalai Lama had been unfairly labeled with all kinds of names that really hurt the sentiment of all his followers. He added that the Dalai Lama’s “innocent grandfatherly affectionate demeanor” shown in the footage had been misinterpreted. Tsering also pointed out that the Dalai Lama’s life of celibacy and spiritual practice had taken him beyond the sensorial pleasures.
The video clip, which was filmed in February and circulated this month, has been viewed more than one million times on Twitter. Tsering said that investigations showed that pro-Chinese sources were involved in making it go viral. He added that the political angle of this incident cannot be ignored. The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet, is regarded by Beijing as a “dangerous separatist.”
The Dalai Lama has made the Himalayan town of Dharamshala his headquarters since fleeing from Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. India considers Tibet to be part of China, though it hosts Tibetan exiles. The Nobel Peace Prize winner has worked for decades to draw global support for linguistic and cultural autonomy in his remote, mountainous homeland.
The controversy surrounding the Dalai Lama’s video highlights the delicate political situation in Tibet. China has long been accused of human rights abuses in Tibet, including the suppression of religious and cultural freedoms. The Dalai Lama is a symbol of Tibetan resistance to Chinese rule, and his followers see him as a spiritual leader and a champion of human rights.
The Dalai Lama has been a vocal advocate for peace and non-violence throughout his life. He has called for dialogue and reconciliation between Tibet and China, and has urged his followers to embrace compassion and understanding. Despite facing criticism and opposition from the Chinese government, the Dalai Lama remains a revered figure among Tibetans and people around the world.
In recent years, the Dalai Lama has scaled back his political activities and focused more on spiritual matters. He has also spoken out on issues such as climate change and the need for greater compassion and empathy in the world. Despite his advancing age, the Dalai Lama remains an influential figure in global affairs, and his message of peace and compassion continues to resonate with people around the world.