Abuse survivors network 'disturbed' by Dalai Lama's apology for kissing boy and asking him to 'suck his tongue'

An abuse survivors' network has said it's ‘horrified’ after seeing footage of the Dalai Lama kissing a young boy on the lips before asking him to ‘suck’ his tongue.

The Buddhist spiritual leader apologised yesterday after a clip from earlier this year began to circulate online.

In the footage, which was at the Tsuglagkhang temple in Dharamshala, northern India on February 28, the 87-year-old can be seen addressing a crowd of students, before calling one youngster onto the stage.

As the boy approaches he asks the Dalai Lama: "Can I hug you?"

After the pair hug, the Dalai Lama points to his cheek, which the boy kisses, and his lips and adds: “I think finally here also.”

VOA

Pulling the boy's chin close towards him, the Dalai Lama kisses his lips as onlookers laugh and clap.

After that, he then tells the boy to 'suck my tongue', sticking his tongue out as he touches heads with him.

The clip received a huge backlash, prompting the Dalai Lama to apologise for his actions.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the leader said that he never meant to cause any harm, and was just being 'playful'.

"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," the statement read.

"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.

VOA

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

Now The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), a US-based organisation that supports the survivors of spiritual and religious abuse, has shared its own statement, condemning the Dalai Lama’s actions.

In a statement, SNAP said: “We are as horrified as any viewer by the actions of the Dalai Lama.

"Our primary concern is with the innocent boy who was the subject of this disgusting request by a revered spiritual figure.

“Additionally, it is just as disturbing to read the minimising statement released on behalf of Buddhist enlightenment.

“An 87-year-old man asking a young boy to perform a blatantly sexual act in a public setting is very disturbing.

"We feel it is important that every single person who sees, suspects, or suffers child sex crimes, regardless of the level of crime, contact law enforcement to report it.”