Tibetan community in Gangtok comes out in defence of Dalai Lama

SUJAL PRADHAN, EOI, GANGTOK, APRIL 16, 2023 : The Tibetan community in Gangtok has come out strongly in defence of the Dalai Lama in the controversy over a viral video showing the Tibetan spiritual leader and a boy.

“The Tibetan community of Gangtok remains steadfast in our commitment to defend the actions of the Dalai Lama. We firmly maintain that His Holiness had no intention of causing harm to the young child in question and that his actions were purely an expression of affection,” the Tibetan community in Gangtok said in a statement on Sunday. “Even after exchanging a kiss with the child, he emphasized their shared humanity, stating,: ‘we are all brothers and sisters.’ 

The interaction ended with a playful moment, as the Dalai Lama tickled the child and encouraged him to focus on the importance of peace and happiness, cautioning against those who cause harm to others. His words to the child are a testament to his true intention of encouraging the child to become a better human being. 

We therefore strongly encourage people not to make hasty and severe judgments based solely on a superficial reading of a selectively edited video clip, presented without its cultural and interactional context. 

By acknowledging that his gesture was specific to his culture and context, and not of a sexual nature, we can gain a greater appreciation for the diversity and richness of cultural norms, practices, and gestures around the world. The Dalai Lama is a global icon of peace, who has spent his life advocating for the rights of oppressed people and serving all sentient beings.

In 2012, he was honored with the prestigious Templeton Prize by the John Templeton Foundation. He had generously donated a

significant portion of the prizemoney ($1.5 million) to support the Save the Children Fund in India. The donation helped improve access to education, health care, and economic opportunities for children, as well as providing crucial aid in times of natural

disasters, war, and other crises. He has emphasized the importance of ensuring that children have access to basic needs, stating, "It is my belief that little can be done to defend the rights of children or to help them fulfill their potential unless they first have enough to eat." His commitment to the welfare of children is evident, and his tireless efforts have contributed to securing a better future for generations to come.

We urge every individual to exercise caution before casting doubt on the actions of a ‘simple Buddhist monk’ who has devoted his entire life to serving humanity. We also ask that people remain vigilant and not fall prey to the Chinese state-controlled media, their affiliates, and their online supporters, who are actively working to sensationalize stories through paid agents with the goal of discrediting the Dalai Lama and his lifelong service to all sentient beings.

We call on every Tibetan to remain resolute in our efforts to prevent these cunning tactics from over shadowing the truth.”