The Dalai Lama apologized to the boy for offering to "suck his tongue"

"His Holiness wishes to apologize to the boy and his family, as well as to numerous friends around the world for the pain that his words may have caused," the Dalai Lama said in a statement on his official website.

According to RIA Novosti, the incident occurred on February 28 at the residence of the spiritual leader in Dharamsala. In the video, a child approaches the Dalai Lama and asks if he can hug him. In response, the religious figure kisses the boy on the lips and offers to "suck his tongue".

"His Holiness often innocently and playfully teases people he meets, even in public and in front of cameras. He regrets the incident," the Dalai Lama's representatives stressed.

The Dalai Lama in Buddhism is considered the embodiment of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion. Lhamo Dhondrub, later Tenzin Gyatso, was born in 1935, in 1937 he was recognized as the reincarnation of his predecessor, the Dalai Lama XIII, and in 1940 he was enthroned. In 1989, the Dalai Lama XIV was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his educational activities and peacemaking efforts.