BW Explains: Dalai Lama Unraveling The Threads Of Controversies

Dalai Lama needs no paragraph of introduction. The spiritual leader of Tibet holds rich political as well as spiritual history in the past. In 1950, when China invaded Tibet under the leadership of Mao Zedong, Dalai Lama was called upon to assume total power. Whereas, India also provided him with shelter at Dharmshala when he was forced to escape into exile, alongwith several other Tibetans. 

1983 marked an important year as Dalai Lama presented a draft democratic constitution for Tibet that included many reforms and was named ‘The Charter of Tibetans in Exile.’

His Holiness played a significant role in assuring bringing reforms to the democratic setup after China’s invasion. The 14th Dalai Lama also played an important role in promoting the Buddhist religion in India, Dharamshala being a nodal centre of Buddhist belief in India. 

But its not just glory that Dalai Lama connects to. A list of controversial incidents are also associated with the Tibetan spiritual leader. Recently, a video got viral that showed Dalai Lama kissing a young boy and asking him "suck my tongue". The video was trolled and heavily criticised across the internet. 

Just as the video went viral, the office of Dalai Lama went numb and did not answer to any calls and messages. Later on, his official Twitter handle tweeted an apology to the boy and his parents. 

Followers of the monk argued with their old tradition where a bad ninth-century Tibetan king had a black tongue, so people stick out their tongues to show that they are not like him.

The tweet 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. His Holiness wishes to apologise to the boy and his family, as well as his many friends across the world, for the hurt his words may have caused.”

The Buddhist spiritual leader has had threads of controversy in the past as well, be it his controversial statement or acts. His dialogue regarding his succession where he said that if his successor would be a woman she should be attractive enough. 

He has also been criticised over his comment on refugees that they should go to their native place and Europe has always been encouraging the refugees. 

The believers also added over the recent incident that sticking out one’s tongue is a sign of respect in Tibetan culture and one of the ways of greeting people.