Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Dalai llama ask a child to suck his tongue

920 replies

Mooshamoo · 10/04/2023 12:49

Has anyone seen the new video of the Dalai Llama asking a child to suck his tongue. Yes. It sounds bizarre. But it is in the news right now. The video is out there. And the dalai llama is apologising on social media now

Im devastated! I went to see the Dalai Llama in India. He gave a speech on accepting and loving everyone, and that it didn't matter what religion we are. I always told people that it was one of the highlights of my life.

I went through life thinking he was a good person, that he was one of the good ones. To see this today, makes me think oh no is he yet another abuser.

Some people have remarked about this video that sticking your tongue out at someone is a greeting in Tibet.

However - the Dalai Llama kisses the child on the lips in the video, and asks the child to suck his tongue. It does not look right at all.

He has apologised on twitter now.

What do you all think?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
21
JerseyRoyals · 10/04/2023 21:13

Sudeko · 10/04/2023 21:11

The cult leader I was made to bow down to also said that he was a divine descendant and the title passes through the generations. It is still a man made idea imposed upon others and impossible to disprove.

This.

Gigantasaurus · 10/04/2023 21:15

beatrice14 · 10/04/2023 20:32

Is it really true that dementia or enforced celibacy could turn someone into a paedophile? If true that's horrible..

There are lots of studies into both and the conclusion appears to be yes, sadly it is true

L3ThirtySeven · 10/04/2023 21:15

Sudeko · 10/04/2023 21:13

It is a very slippery slope if he is still held up as an example to others because they will also do as he does.

Agreed. This can’t be ignored or brushed off.

CordyLines · 10/04/2023 21:17

At 87 there isn't a line on his face either, Botox or surgery, or has he a naturally youthful skin? He looks like a mad man to me anyway, especially in that pic above in the yellow robes.

Sudeko · 10/04/2023 21:18

I live in an extremely middle class white neighbourhood full of DL devotees and you should see the comments on our Whatsapp chat. They are in turmoil. It is deathly silent out there so it has really affected a lot of people. Lets hope they do the right thing by disempowering him immediately and making him a DINO (DL in name only).

DrManhattan · 10/04/2023 21:20

Very sad. I thought he was a good guy. Wtf is he up to in private.

L3ThirtySeven · 10/04/2023 21:24

“My understanding is that the DL claims to be the reincarnation of a Prince.”

Just in broad terms. The Dalai Lama is one of several Lamas who are bodhisattvas or disciples of Buddha that have attained enlightenment but instead of being freed from the wheel of being have chosen to return to Earth to guide other humans towards enlightenment. So a lama is reborn into reincarnation after reincarnation, and will keep doing so until all humans reach enlightenment.

The lamas do not self-identify or claim they are a lama- they are told from toddler hood that they ARE the lama. The old Lama when near to death gives signs to the senior priests that are then followed to find where the Lama will be reborn. Usually it’s visions or utterances similar to how an oracle would say something. These priests then go on a quest following the signs until they find likely candidates. They then do tests on the toddler to determine if the toddler is the reincarnation of the Lama. (Not all lamas are men by the way). If the priests decide a toddler is the reincarnation of the lama, they are taken away from their family to be raised in celibacy to be the next Lama. The family was often compensated with land, high social status. Though not anymore as Tibet is occupied by China.

onirgellep · 10/04/2023 21:50

The story has disappeared from the front page of the Guardian website already

Even tho' it's the 4th 'most viewed' article on the website

CordyLines · 10/04/2023 21:54

onirgellep · 10/04/2023 21:50

The story has disappeared from the front page of the Guardian website already

Even tho' it's the 4th 'most viewed' article on the website

Not one bit surprised. I said earlier that it might be old news in a very short while.

I just hope that devotees of his religion question his actions, but will they? Because if they don't it doesn't look like anyone else will. That's the power he has I reckon.

WhateverYouSayEh · 10/04/2023 21:58

FictionalCharacter · 10/04/2023 20:41

@WhateverYouSayEh I totally agree and I’m sorry that happened to you. I went through horrible shit as a child too including rape. I’ll never forgive them, including my parents who made me kiss old people who were strangers to me and sit on their laps, which I hated. At least I’ve been able to bring up my own kids to be able to say no and to not be people pleasers.

I'm sorry it happened to you too. Flowers

AnorLondo · 10/04/2023 22:00

GingerbreadBaking · 10/04/2023 20:38

Ah this is their religion the Diversity, inclusion, equality, be kind, intersectionality.

https://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/news/investigation-launched-into-guide-commissioners-social-medi-9227238/

Nope, you can through out whatever buzzwords you want but I'm still not seeing the connection to religion or how it makes Brownies one. Sorry, I know you're desperate to derail the thread.

Mammajay · 10/04/2023 22:06

Religion often seems to breed perversion or perhaps it is the power people have over others I am agnostic. It seems a vile thing to do the a child.

TeaForMeandThee · 10/04/2023 22:50

Zone2NorthLondon · 10/04/2023 20:53

This thread attests why abuse by revered & popular people is denied,minimised,tolerated
The amount of obfuscation and denial, the rush to seek a cultural explanation…anything other than call this what it is - abuse

I agree 100%. It explains how people with power/fame can get away with this sort of thing in plain sight and people will happily defend them, even when there is video footage of the incident. Crazy.

neveradullmoment99 · 10/04/2023 23:05

Shhhquirrel · 10/04/2023 16:09

’It was meant to be a joke.’

And you are privy to the intentions of the DL how exactly.

No adult in their right mind would think it appropriate to suggest this to a child. Stop with the dangerous culture of apology.

Not me. It was said in some news report. Of course I'm not privy to the Dalai lama. I'm only reiterating what the press said he said so what's your point?

neveradullmoment99 · 10/04/2023 23:07

Also, I am agreeing with you! It's disgusting! Or did you not read that bit??
Honestly, mumsnet people ready to bite your head off!

AxolotlOnions · 10/04/2023 23:15

To everyone saying it's clearly sexual, is tongue sucking now a thing?

TrombonesAreNotBones · 10/04/2023 23:21

AxolotlOnions · 10/04/2023 23:15

To everyone saying it's clearly sexual, is tongue sucking now a thing?

What we are saying is no man should ever be asking a child to suck a body part. Sorry if you find this a weird thing to be concerned about. HTH.

ananass · 10/04/2023 23:37

AxolotlOnions · 10/04/2023 23:15

To everyone saying it's clearly sexual, is tongue sucking now a thing?

Pretty sure it’s been a thing for millennia.

monsteramunch · 10/04/2023 23:40

AxolotlOnions · 10/04/2023 23:15

To everyone saying it's clearly sexual, is tongue sucking now a thing?

Is this serious?

If a man asked your child to suck his tongue, would you not instinctively assume his motivation was sexual and therefore feel absolutely disgusted?

Mangogirl12 · 11/04/2023 02:40

rumpsteak · 10/04/2023 15:28

The Catholic church is a shitshow but it still doesn't teach that the Pope is the best Catholic which is what you said. The hierachy are an abusive set of wankers for sure.

They teach that the Pope is Infallible. So, yes, they do.

Mangogirl12 · 11/04/2023 04:28

Naunet · 10/04/2023 18:34

It’s also a common ‘symptom’ of being a nonce. Do you seriously think this man doesn’t have people around him looking out for his health? I bet he gets regular full check ups, but you know better than his doctors?

Stop excusing child abuse.

Would a Buddhist like the DL use western medicine? My guess is he would go in for spiritual healing. He probably has never seen the inside of a doctor surgery or hospital or testing centre.

Mangogirl12 · 11/04/2023 04:34

pickledandpuzzled · 10/04/2023 18:36

We don't know whether the DL is start8ng with dementia.
We don't know whether he has been abusive behind the scenes, and is now displaying that behaviour.
We don't know if there is some joke or cultural context that we just don't get.

It's possible the DL is no longer able to correctly process what is going on around him, or respond appropriately. There is a series starting on R4 about dementia. In one trailer, a chap was talking about cats and bunnies frolicking about the corners of the room. His brain has deteriorated and he now sees things that aren't there.

There comes a point where we can no longer hold people responsible for their actions. We rely on safeguarding procedures to keep such people in safety to protect those around them, and themselves.

So DL needs to be either prosecuted for inappropriate behaviour of some kind, or kept in seclusion in his old age. He can't resign or be fired. Senior monks can take on some of his work, but they can't be The Dalai Lama.

I don't think considering all the explanations for this single incident is pedophilia apologia. It's using your brain.

This incident can't be repeated, whatever caused it.

And no, demented elderly people cannot be held responsible for their behaviour, and the first signs may not be easily spotted and acceptable, they can be desperately embarrassing and humiliating, or harmful.

We don't know.

Very sensible post. I have been reluctant to comment as the vultures immediately attack you if suggest occam's razor, that the DL as Dementia. It does NOT mean posters are excusing his behaviour. What we are saying, is that there is maybe a reason, and perhaps if the DL knew what he was doing, he would be absolutely horrified. Having worked with elderly and patients with dementia, I can tell you many of them act out in ways, including sexually, you would never, ever, EVER imagine them to do in real life if they were in full possession of their faculties. Unfortunately there is still a lot of ignorance around dementia. This thread demonstrates this most clearly. People believe even with dementia the person meant to do it, they were in possession of their full faculties, etc. This thread is quite depressing. It's so polarised because there is a lack of critical thinking. If you even so much as deign to suggest it's dementia, you are accused of excusing child abuse.

It does NOT mean he didn't abuse the child.
It does NOT mean he is innocent.
It does NOT make it ok.

But, it is a reason. That's all people are saying.

Mangogirl12 · 11/04/2023 04:44

Sudeko · 10/04/2023 19:05

Can anybody link to any credible research that dementia causes sudden onset full blown pedophilia? I expect not but it has been invented as a thing in the past day and I expect will be the line of argument they fall back on to save the cult.

Respectfully you're not getting it. They don't realise they are doing it. That's the point. If they were aware of what they were doing, they would be horrified with themselves. It's why I've often said I believe in assisted dying for myself if I ever get to that stage. I've seen how straight-laced, prim and proper, decent elderly people go with dementia. It's heartbreaking. People truly think they know what they're doing. They do not! I feel I again have to make a disclaimer because of all the hysteria on this thread. It does not negate their/the DL's actions. It doesn't make them innocent. It doesn't make their behaviour ok. But people with dementia do things that rational human beings wouldn't do. There is a massive ignorance of dementia on this thread, I find it so depressing. Suggesting the most obvious; dementia, does not mean we are looking to excuse him or say he is innocent. There is this blinkered black-and-white thinking here. You're either 100% against abuse, or if you say it's dementia, you're for abuse. Having a rational discussion on dementia and the effects on people on this site is like herding blind and deaf cats. People simply don't want to know. They genuinely think we're making excuses. We are NOT!!

Mangogirl12 · 11/04/2023 04:48

KnitGoodWomanKnit · 10/04/2023 19:07

Hmmm...Is it a personality change or more the sort of private personality one would've been able to quench or hide from others before but due to cognitive decline, is unable to control and hide anymore?

It's a personality change. A complete personality change. 2 thirds of all dementia patients show some sort of sexual deviancy. Unless you want to believe 2 thirds of all of us are suppressed deviants. It's damage to the brain - the erosion of the actual brain, it shrinks, that causes a completely different personality.

Lapland123 · 11/04/2023 04:50

Mangogirl12 · 11/04/2023 04:48

It's a personality change. A complete personality change. 2 thirds of all dementia patients show some sort of sexual deviancy. Unless you want to believe 2 thirds of all of us are suppressed deviants. It's damage to the brain - the erosion of the actual brain, it shrinks, that causes a completely different personality.

Where on earth did you get this 2/3 of dementia patients demonstrate inappropriate sexual behaviour?

Swipe left for the next trending thread