Is greeting with tongue a tradition in Tibetan culture?
The Dalai Lama has been in the headlines ever since a controversial video of him appeared on social media. In the video, the spiritual leader of Tibet can be seen kissing a child on the lips. He then sticks out his tongue and asks the boy to inhale it.
The video was recorded during an event that took place in India in February.
Recently, the 87-year-old apologized for the video.
A statement released by the Lama's office on Twitter read:
"His Holiness wishes to apologize to his son and his family, as well as his many friends around the world, for the hurt his action may have caused."
The statement went on to say that "the Buddhist monk often harasses people he meets in an innocent and playful manner, even in public and on camera."
In addition to many critics, there are also people who have justified the Dalai Lama's action by saying that greeting with tongue is part of Tibetan culture.
How true is this?
According to the Institute of East Asian Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, sticking out the tongue is seen as a sign of respect or agreement and is also used as a greeting in Tibetan culture.
The tongue greeting has its origins in Tibetan folklore. However, no source mentions the absorption of the language as part of the tradition.
So, even this part of Tibetan culture cannot justify the action of the 87-year-old.
Burimi: The Llanelli Herald
