Dalai Lama apologises to boy, his family over viral 'kissing video'

The Dalai Lama has apologised after a purported video of him kissing a boy on the lips and asking him to 'suck his tongue' sparked widespread criticism on social media.

The Tibetan spiritual leader apologised to the boy and his family, as well as his many friends across the world, for the hurt his words may have caused.

"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 statement read.

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

A video of the Dalai Lama asking a minor boy to suck his tongue has gone viral on social media. "Can you suck my tongue," the Buddhist religious leader is heard asking the minor boy in the viral clip.

However, the video has met with mixed responses from netizens. "Dalai Lama kissed an Indian boy at a #Dharma event and even tried to tongue kiss the boy who then resisted. At the time, Dalai Lama was salivating. Such a disgusting scene! Context? The link to the full video has been turned private. Inappropriate to say the least," a user criticised Dalai Lama's gesture.

However, a user defended the religious leader's behaviour and tweeted, "Dalai Lama did the Maori tradition of New Zealand of rubbing noses and he does that with everyone Adults and Kids alike. The pure mind of a kid kissed him with love and in the rest of video he's just reciprocating that love. A morally corrupt society has made our minds small."