The Dalai Lama is under scrutiny around the world following an interaction with a boy that has since gone viral online.
In the video, that has been watched nearly six million times as of Monday afternoon, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, can be seen giving a boy a quick kiss on the lips before sticking out his tongue and telling the boy to suck it.
The video was reportedly filmed at a public gathering back in February at the Tsuglagkhang temple in the northern Indian town of Dharamshala, where the 87-year-old Tibetan leader lives.
Many have condemned the interaction as abuse and harassment.
However, members of the Tibetan diaspora across the world and right here in Toronto believe the incident has been taken out of context and that there is more to the story, and their cultural customs.
Advocates point to what appeared to be the boy in the video later on being interviewed that same day and he looked to be in good spirits.
“It was a really good experience meeting him and it was inexpressible how blessed you feel when you get blessed by him,” the boy in the video said.
Many protesters took to the streets in downtown Toronto on Sunday to call out the media for “allegedly spinning a false narrative and not telling the full story.”
Chemi Lhamo, the Canadian representative on the steering committee of the International Tibet Network, has been hard at work trying to change the narrative of what went down between the Dalai Lama and the boy earlier this year.
During the protest, she defended his actions and read a statement on behalf of the Tibet Action Institute that was signed by other Tibetan leaders.
“For Tibetans who see the video clip of the Dalai Lama’s interaction with a child at a public event in February, it is clear he is displaying his affection, warmth, and humour. It is through a lifetime of familiarity with the Dalai Lama that we understand his words and actions,” the community organizer and human rights activist said.
“Tibetan elders are very openly affectionate with children – both those in and outside of their immediate family. It’s completely acceptable to kiss children on the lips,” Lhamo told Now Toronto in an email statement.
“The mouth and the tongue are not viewed as sexual. They are for eating and talking. Some Tibetans stick out their tongues as a greeting and an apology. Many Tibetan elders joke with children and say “Ngey Cheley Sa” or “Ngey Cheley Jib” which translates as “eat my tongue” or “suck my tongue.”
Lhamo said it was not meant to be taken literally and understands it did not translate well to “Western hyper-sexualized culture.”
“The media did not tell the full story – that the child’s parents organized that event. That his mother and grandfather are sitting on stage next to the Dalai Lama the entire time. That this was at least the third interaction this boy has had with the Dalai Lama,” she continued.
She also admits that millions of Tibetans and allies were deeply hurt by the world’s rush to judgment on not only Lama’s integrity but of their culture, values, and principles as a people.
