14th Dalai Lama

== Criticism ==
=== Ties to India ===
[[File:Plaque at AP Museum, Amaravathi.jpg|250px|thumb|Stone plaque at a plantation by Tenzin in Amaravathi]]

The [[Chinese Communist Party]] have criticised the 14th Dalai Lama for his close ties with India. In 2008, the Dalai Lama said that [[Arunachal Pradesh]], partially claimed by China, is part of India, citing the disputed [[Simla Accord (1914)|1914 Simla Accord]].<ref>{{cite news |date=4 June 2008 |title=Tawang is part of India: Dalai Lama |publisher=TNN |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Tawang_is_part_of_India_Dalai_Lama_/articleshow/3097568.cms |url-status=live |access-date=4 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110125122218/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Tawang_is_part_of_India_Dalai_Lama_/articleshow/3097568.cms |archive-date=25 January 2011}}</ref> In 2010 at the International Buddhist Conference in [[Gujarat]], he described himself as a "son of India" and "Tibetan in appearance, but an Indian in spirituality." The newspaper of the [[Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party]], ''[[People's Daily]],'' questioned if the Dalai Lama, by considering himself Indian rather than Chinese, is still entitled to represent Tibetans, alluding to the links between [[Chinese Buddhism|Chinese]] and Tibetan Buddhism and the Dalai Lama siding with India on [[South Tibet|southern Tibet]].<ref name="heart2">{{Cite news |date=22 January 2010 |title=A look at the Dalai Lama's ridiculous Indian heart |publisher=China Tibet Information Center |url=http://chinatibet.people.com.cn/6876597.html |url-status=dead |access-date=17 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009010035/http://chinatibet.people.com.cn/6876597.html |archive-date=9 October 2011}}</ref> Dhundup Gyalpo, the Dalai Lama's eventual secretary in [[New Delhi]], argued that Tibetan and Chinese peoples have no connections apart from a few culinary dishes and that Chinese Buddhists could also be deemed "Indian in spirituality", because both Tibetan and Chinese Buddhism originated from India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 November 2013 |title=Mr. Tsewang Gyalpo Arya appointed Bureau Secretary {{!}} Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama |url=https://tibetbureau.in/mr-tsewang-gyalpo-arya-appointed-bureau-secretary/ |website=tibetbureau.in |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-date=13 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413175854/https://tibetbureau.in/mr-tsewang-gyalpo-arya-appointed-bureau-secretary/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Gyalpo |first=Dhundup |date=9 February 2010 |title=Why is the Dalai Lama 'son of India'? |publisher=[[Tibet Sun]] |location=Dharamshala |url=http://www.tibetsun.com/opinions/2010/02/09/why-is-the-dalai-lama-son-of-india |url-status=dead |access-date=18 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717053610/http://www.tibetsun.com/opinions/2010/02/09/why-is-the-dalai-lama-son-of-india |archive-date=17 July 2011}}</ref>

=== Shugden controversy ===
{{Main|Dorje Shugden controversy}}[[Dorje Shugden]] is an entity in Tibetan Buddhism that, since the 1930s, has become a point of contention over whether to include or exclude certain non-[[Gelug]] teachings. After the 1975 publication of the ''Yellow Book'' containing stories about Dorje Shugden acting wrathfully against Gelugpas who also practised [[Nyingma]], the 14th Dalai Lama, himself a Gelugpa and advocate of an inclusive approach,{{sfn|Mills|2003}} publicly renounced the practice of Dorje Shugden.<ref>Prisoners of Shangri-La. Lopez, Donald. Page 191</ref>{{sfn|Kay|2004|pp=47–49}} Several groups broke away as a result, notably the [[New Kadampa Tradition]] (NKT). According to [[Tibetology|Tibetologists]], the Dalai Lama's disapproval has reduced the prevalence of Shugden sects among Tibetans in China and India.<ref name="Lague-2015">Lague, David. Mooney, Paul. and Lim, Benjamin Kang. (21 December 2015). [https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/china-dalailama/ ''"China co-opts a Buddhist sect in global effort to smear Dalai Lama"''.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704004949/http://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/china-dalailama/|date=4 July 2017}} Reuters. Retrieved 21 December 2015.</ref>

Shugden devotees have since complained about being ostracized when trying to get jobs or receive services. The Dalai Lama's supporters expressed that any discrimination is neither systematic nor encouraged by him.<ref name="Lague-2015" /> Some Shugden movements such as the NKT have organised demonstrations as a form of protest.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Dalai Lama Speaks Clearly About the Dorje Shugden Ban |url=https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/the-dalai-lama-speaks-clearly-about-the-dorje-shugden-ban.html |access-date=19 June 2020 |website=Tsem Rinpoche dot com |archive-date=17 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417015118/https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/the-dalai-lama-speaks-clearly-about-the-dorje-shugden-ban.html |url-status=live }}</ref> One group, the International Shugden Community (ISC), came under scrutiny from [[Reuters]] in 2015. While the journalists found "no independent evidence of direct Chinese financing," they reported that Beijing had "thrown its weight behind Shugden devotees" and the ISC became China's instrument to discredit the Dalai Lama.<ref name="Lague-2015" /> The group disbanded in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |author1=David Lague |author2=Stephanie Nebehay |date=11 March 2016 |title=Buddhist group leading global anti-Dalai Lama protests disbands |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-dalai-lama-idUSKCN0WD203 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602180048/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-dalai-lama-idUSKCN0WD203 |archive-date=2 June 2016 |access-date=12 March 2016 |website=Reuters |quote="The Buddhist group leading a global campaign of harassment against the Dalai Lama has called off its demonstrations and disbanded, according to a statement on its website. The announcement comes after a Reuters investigation revealed in December that China's ruling Communist Party backs the Buddhist religious sect behind the protests that have confronted the Dalai Lama in almost every country he visits. Reuters found that the sect had become a key instrument in China's campaign to discredit the Tibetan spiritual leader." |location=Geneva, Switzerland}}</ref> That same year, the Dalai Lama re-stated his position on Dorje Shugden, saying "I've encouraged people not to do the practice, but I haven't said that no one can do it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lama |first=The 14th Dalai |date=7 April 2023 |title=Avalokiteshvara Empowerment and Public Talk |url=https://www.dalailama.com/news/2016/avalokiteshvara-empowerment-and-public-talk |access-date=7 April 2023 |website=The 14th Dalai Lama |language=en |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407101313/https://www.dalailama.com/news/2016/avalokiteshvara-empowerment-and-public-talk |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="TsemPracticeFinally">{{cite web |last1=Thubten |first1=Tsem |title=Dalai Lama Says We Can Practise Dorje Shugden Finally! |url=https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/current-affairs/dalai-lama-says-we-can-practise-dorje-shugden-finally.html |access-date=20 June 2020 |website=Tsem Rinpoche dot com |archive-date=19 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419202727/https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/current-affairs/dalai-lama-says-we-can-practise-dorje-shugden-finally.html |url-status=live }}</ref> His office said that there was no ban or discrimination against Shugden worshippers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lama |first=The 14th Dalai |date=6 April 2023 |title=In Response to the Shugden Protestors'… |url=https://www.dalailama.com/messages/dolgyal-shugden/statements-announcements/response-to-shugden-protestor-allegations |access-date=7 April 2023 |website=The 14th Dalai Lama |language=en |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407101313/https://www.dalailama.com/messages/dolgyal-shugden/statements-announcements/response-to-shugden-protestor-allegations |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Comments on a potential female Dalai Lama ===
In 2010, the Dalai Lama told a reporter that the first time someone asked him about the possibility of a female Dalai Lama, he said "if she is an ugly female, she won't be very effective, will she?"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mabe |first=Rachel |date=8 December 2021 |title=When meditation turns toxic: the woman exposing spiritual sexism |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/dec/08/meditation-spirtual-sexism-womens-retreats |access-date=14 April 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608114052/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/dec/08/meditation-spirtual-sexism-womens-retreats |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015 he said at one occasion, "more than 50 years ago" in Paris, he said the line to a reporter of a women's magazine, that "if female Dalai Lama comes, the face should be very, very attractive."<ref>{{Citation |title=Dalai Lama: Do not reject refugees because they are Muslim - BBC News |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxkYW74HUUs |language=en |access-date=23 September 2022 |archive-date=23 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923171042/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxkYW74HUUs |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2019, when he was asked about the comment, he repeated it with a laugh, saying that although the real beauty is inner beauty, for human beings, the appearance is also very important.<ref>{{Citation |title=Dalai Lama Says Any Female Successor Would Need To Be 'Attractive' |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3STgsoKqRis |language=en |access-date=23 September 2022 |archive-date=23 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923171043/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3STgsoKqRis |url-status=live }}</ref> In response to the controversy sparked by the interview, his office released a statement to clarify his remarks and put them into context, expressing that the Dalai Lama "is deeply sorry that people have been hurt by what he said and offers his sincere apologies." The statement explains, the original context of the Dalai Lama's referring to the physical appearance of a female successor was a conversation with the then Paris editor of ''Vogue'' magazine, who had invited His Holiness in 1992 to guest-edit the next edition. She asked if a future Dalai Lama could be a woman. His Holiness replied, 'Certainly, if that would be more helpful,' adding, as a joke, that she should be attractive.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lama |first=The 14th Dalai |date=23 September 2022 |title=Clarification and Context of Remarks Made by His |url=https://www.dalailama.com/news/2019/clarification-and-context-of-remarks-made-by-his-holiness-the-dalai-lama-in-a-recent-bbc-interview |access-date=23 September 2022 |website=The 14th Dalai Lama |language=en}}</ref> The statement also noted, the Dalai Lama "consistently emphasizes the need for people to connect with each other on a deeper human level, rather than getting caught up in preconceptions based on superficial appearances."<ref name="Rodriguez"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chhatlani |first=Harshita |date=5 July 2019 |title=The Dalai Lama Has Been Sexist Longer Than You Have Known |url=https://feminisminindia.com/2019/07/05/the-dalai-lama-sexist/ |access-date=14 April 2022 |website=Feminism In India |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Gedhun Choekyi Nyima ===
In April 2018, the Dalai Lama confirmed Chinese government claims about [[Gedhun Choekyi Nyima]] by saying that he knew from "reliable sources" that the Panchen Lama he had recognised was alive and receiving normal education. He said he hoped that the Chinese-recognised Panchen Lama ([[Gyaincain Norbu]]) studied well under the guidance of a good teacher, adding that there were instances in Tibetan Buddhist tradition, of a reincarnated lama taking more than one manifestation.<ref>[https://www.thestatesman.com/india/11th-panchen-lama-alive-receiving-education-dalai-lama-1502627372.html 11th Panchen Lama alive, receiving education: Dalai Lama] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513203531/https://www.thestatesman.com/india/11th-panchen-lama-alive-receiving-education-dalai-lama-1502627372.html |date=13 May 2019 }}, ''The Statesman'', 25 April 2018: "Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Wednesday said 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima "according to reliable source is alive and receiving normal education". Talking to the media at Gaggal Airport in Kangra district after returning from four-day Delhi visit, Lama hoped that the official Panchen Lama studies well under the guidance of a good teacher. "Then the Panchen Lama, which I recognised sometime back, there was no news, but then according to reliable information, he is still alive and receiving normal education. So we will see," he said. He said there are instances in Tibetan Buddhist tradition, "where a reincarnated lama took more than one manifestation"."</ref><ref>Dr. Andrea Galli, [https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2018/05/09/dalai-lama-and-the-panchen-lama-quarrel-the-way-for-rapprochement-with-china/ Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama quarrel: The way for rapprochement with China] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508210435/https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2018/05/09/dalai-lama-and-the-panchen-lama-quarrel-the-way-for-rapprochement-with-china/ |date=8 May 2019 }}, ''Modern Diplomacy'', 9 May 2018.</ref>

=== Controversy over young boy and "suck my tongue" ===
[[File:VOA Tibetan - Footage of Dalai Lama's controversial encounter with an Indian schoolboy in 2023.webm|thumb|Footage of Dalai Lama's controversial encounter with an Indian schoolboy in 2023]]
In a February 2023 video, the Dalai Lama was recorded kissing a young boy on the lips and asking the child to suck his tongue.<ref name="NPRsucking">{{cite web |last1=Olson |first1=Emily |title=The Dalai Lama apologizes for asking a young boy to suck his tongue |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/04/10/1168962589/dalai-lama-apologizes-tongue-kiss |website=NPR |access-date=17 September 2023}}</ref><ref name="Ellis-Petersen-2023">{{Cite news |last=Ellis-Petersen |first=Hannah |date=10 April 2023 |title=Dalai Lama apologises after kissing boy and asking him to 'suck my tongue' |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/10/dalai-lama-apologises-kissing-boy-suck-his-tongue-video |access-date=13 April 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The meeting took place at his temple in [[Dharamshala]], India. Nearly 100 students were in attendance, as well as the boy's mother, a trustee of the event's organiser.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 March 2023 |title=M3M Foundation gets blessing from HH Dalai Lama |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/business/business/m3m-foundation-gets-blessing-from-hh-dalai-lama20230301123051/ |website=ANI News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Daza |first=Baltasar |date=17 April 2023 |title=Esto fue lo que dijo el niño que fue "besado" por el Dalai Lama |url=https://www.latercera.com/tendencias/noticia/esto-fue-lo-que-dijo-el-nino-que-fue-besado-por-el-dalai-lama/KOAW4TU7TBAB5C6ZGBLMCZOYTY/ |website=La Tercera |quote=Payal Kanodia, mother of the child and worker of the M3M foundation, which built the compound}}</ref> Her son had asked for and received a hug from the Dalai Lama. He then pointed to his own cheek and lips, requesting and receiving two kisses at those locations from the boy, pulling the child's chin closer during the second one.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 April 2023 |title=Dalai Lama Apologizes Over an Exchange with a Child |url=https://tricycle.org/article/dalai-lama-apologizes/ |website=Tricycle}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 April 2023 |title=Dalai Lama apologizes after video asking child to 'suck' his tongue sparks outcry |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/dalai-lama-apologizes-after-video-asking-child-to-suck-his-tongue-sparks-outcry/ |website=CBS News}}</ref> He then gestured at and said "suck my tongue," stretching it out and moved closer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=C |first=Rika |date=12 April 2023 |title=Dalai Lama Apologizes After Asking Boy To Suck His Tongue |url=https://hot917fm.com/say-what-nah/dalai-lama-apologizes-after-asking-boy-to-suck-his-tongue/ |website=Hot 91.7 FM}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 April 2023 |title=Dalai Lama apologizes for kissing young boy after criticism circulates |url=https://www.newschannel5.com/news/national/dalai-lama-apologizes-for-kissing-young-boy-after-criticism-circulates |website=News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF)}}</ref> The boy had been pulling away, and the two ended up pressing their heads together.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 April 2023 |title=Abuse survivors rip Dalai Lama for tongue incident |url=https://torontosun.com/news/world/abuse-survivors-rip-dalai-lama-for-tongue-incident |website=Toronto-Sun}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 April 2023 |title=Dalai Lama under fire after asking young boy to 'suck his tongue' in bizarre viral video: 'Menace to children' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/dalai-lama-under-fire-asking-young-boy-suck-his-tongue-viral-video-menace-children |website=Fox News}}</ref> The video resurfaced in April 2023, and the Dalai Lama's conduct was condemned by many who called it "inappropriate," "scandalous" and "disgusting".<ref name="Ellis-Petersen-2023" /> His office issued a statement saying that the Dalai Lama often teases "in an innocent and playful way," adding that he wants to apologise to those involved "for the hurt his words may have caused" and "regrets the incident".<ref name="BBC News-2023">{{cite web |date=10 April 2023 |title=Dalai Lama regrets asking boy to 'suck my tongue' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-65229327 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410080108/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-65229327 |archive-date=10 April 2023 |access-date=10 April 2023 |website=BBC News}}</ref>

Victim groups and media commentators have raised concerns of "child abuse".<ref name="Independent-2023">{{Cite web |date=13 April 2023 |title=Dalai Lama: The significance of 'tongue greetings' in Tibetan culture |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/dalai-lama-tongue-kiss-video-tibet-b2318887.html |access-date=13 April 2023 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> The HAQ Centre for Child Rights in [[New Delhi]] said the video was "certainly not about any cultural expression and even if it is, such cultural expressions are not acceptable."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alund |first=Natalie Neysa |title='Suck my tongue': Dalai Lama lambasted after video shows him kiss young boy on lips |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2023/04/10/dalai-lama-boy-kiss-video/11634769002/ |access-date=13 April 2023 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref> Indian journalist Nilanjana Bhowmick said that sticking out one's tongue is different from "asking a minor to suck it." Child rights activist [[Shola Mos-Shogbamimu]] said that child molestation should not be normalised under the guise of playful behaviour.<ref name="Independent-2023" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/10/india/dalai-lama-apology-kissing-boy-video-intl-hnk/index.html|title=Dalai Lama apologizes after video asking child to 'suck' his tongue sparks outcry|work=CNN|date=11 April 2023 }}</ref>

Tibetan activists argued that the interaction was an overblown joke, misinterpreted and unfairly attacked.<ref name="Pundir-2023b" /><ref name="CNN" /> They mentioned that sticking out one's tongue is a form of traditional Tibetan greeting to show respect or agreement, stemming from a tradition of performing the gesture to demonstrate that one is not reincarnated from the malevolent king [[Langdarma|Lang Dharma]], who was said to have a black tongue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dresser |first=Norine |date=8 November 1997 |title=On Sticking Out Your Tongue |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-08-me-51420-story.html |access-date=21 April 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> The practice is not known to involve "sucking," however.<ref name="Independent-2023" /> In an interview clip released by [[Voice of Tibet (Norway)|Voice of Tibet]], the boy said it had been a "good experience" meeting the Dalai Lama, from whom he received a lot of "positive energy".<ref name="Pundir-2023a">{{Cite web |last=Pundir |first=Pallavi |date=14 April 2023 |title=Tibetans Explain What 'Suck My Tongue' Means. It's Not What You Think. |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/jg5854/tibetans-explain-what-suck-my-tongue-means-dalai-lama-viral-video |website=Vice}}</ref> [[Penpa Tsering]], the political leader of the Central Tibetan Administration, called the gesture an "innocent grandfatherly affectionate demeanour" followed by a "jovial prank" with a tongue.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 April 2023 |title='Innocent grandfatherly prank': Tibetan president in exile on Dalai Lama video |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/dalai-lama-boy-video-dalai-lama-news-innocent-grandfatherly-prank-tibetian-president-in-exile-on-dalai-lama-video-101681440541022.html |access-date=14 April 2023 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> He and other Tibetans accused "pro-Chinese sources" of being behind the video.<ref name="Pundir-2023b">{{Cite web |last=Pundir |first=Pallavi |date=14 April 2023 |title=Tibetans Explain What 'Suck My Tongue' Means. It's Not What You Think. |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/jg5854/tibetans-explain-what-suck-my-tongue-means-dalai-lama-viral-video |website=Vice News}}</ref><ref name="CNN">{{Cite web |title=Tibetan leader defends Dalai Lama after 'suck my tongue' request to boy |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/13/india/tibetan-leader-defends-dalai-lama-kissing-boy-video-intl-hnk/index.html |website=CNN|date=14 April 2023 }}</ref>{{efn|According to CNN, no evidence was given for the preceding claim that pro-Chinese elements were involved in the spread of the video.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tibetan leader defends Dalai Lama after 'suck my tongue' request to boy|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/13/india/tibetan-leader-defends-dalai-lama-kissing-boy-video-intl-hnk/index.html|website=CNN|date=14 April 2023 }}</ref>}} [[Vice News]] reported that according to Tibetans, "eat my tongue," roughly translated, is a common expression for teasing children. Kaysang, a Tibetan feminist educator in India, said "suck my tongue" is also a game for elders to "deter kids from pestering them".<ref name="Pundir-2023b" /> An international group of Tibetan leaders and activists expressed anguish that attempts to understand Tibetan cultural context have been, in their view, insufficiently covered by the media.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 April 2023 |title=Global Tibetan leaders, activists stand in support of the Dalai Lama over viral video |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/global-tibetan-leaders-activists-stand-in-support-of-the-dalai-lama-over-viral-video20230415224432/ |agency=[[Asian News International]]}}</ref> Pema Rigzin, president of the Tibetan Cultural Society of Vancouver, added that it is "very normal" in Tibetan culture for grandparents to kiss or chew food for their infants.<ref name="CTV News-2023">{{Cite web |date=16 April 2023 |title=Tibetan Canadians say video of Dalai Lama kissing boy taken out of context |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/tibetan-canadians-say-video-of-dalai-lama-kissing-boy-taken-out-of-context-1.6356777 |access-date=17 April 2023 |website=CTV News}}</ref>

=== Video of touching Lady Gaga ===
Following the temple child incident in 2023, video footage from 2016 showing the Dalai Lama touching [[Lady Gaga]]'s leg caused further controversy.<ref name="Laxmi Gaga">{{cite web |last1=Rajput |first1=Laxmi |title=Lady Gaga Forcefully Stops Dalai Lama From Touching Her Exposed Leg After His Indecent Behaviour in Resurfaced Video |url=https://fandomwire.com/lady-gaga-forcefully-stops-dalai-lama-from-touching-her-exposed-leg-after-his-indecent-behaviour-in-resurfaced-video/ |website=FandomWire |date=16 April 2023 |access-date=17 September 2023}}</ref><ref name="Blast Gaga">{{cite web |last1=Adegoke |first1=Favour |title=Dalai Lama Controversy Worsens As Resurfaced Clip Shows Him Touching Lady Gaga's Leg |url=https://theblast.com/476670/dalai-lama-controversy-worsens-video-lady-gaga/ |website=The Blast |date=17 April 2023 |access-date=17 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 April 2023 |title=Dalai Lama sparks another controversy with Lady Gaga: Another video appears in which he touches the singer's leg |url=https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/2023/04/15/643ad603268e3e79598b4571.html |access-date=11 May 2023 |website=MARCA |language=en}}</ref> The event occurred during a compassion conference in [[Indiana]] about individuals experiencing physical and psychological difficulties and how to support them. In the video, the religious leader is seen hardly paying any attention to the speaker. He looked down at Lady Gaga's leg, where the skin is exposed from her torn trousers, and touched it with his fingers. Lady Gaga looked back at the Dalai Lama, shook her head, and smiled awkwardly.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Footage of Dalai Lama tickling Lady Gaga's leg resurfaces amid backlash for kissing boy |url=https://www.unilad.com/celebrity/dalai-lama-tickling-lady-gaga-video-resurfaces-backlash-721950-20230415 |website=UNILAD|date=15 April 2023 }}</ref> When he attempted the same action on her other leg, she grabbed his hand and stopped him from following through.<ref>{{cite news|title=Amid 'Suck My Tongue' Row, Dalai Lama TICKLING Singer Lady Gaga's Knees In Old Video Go VIRAL|date=2023-04-14|website=Filmibeat|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/bollywood/viral/2023/amid-suck-my-tongue-row-dalai-lama-tickling-singer-lady-gaga-s-knees-in-old-video-go-viral-350750.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=After asking child to suck his tongue, video of Dalai Lama touching Lady Gaga inappropriately goes viral|date=2023-04-14|website=Janta Ka Reporter|url=https://www.jantakareporter.com/entertainment/after-asking-child-to-suck-his-tongue-video-of-dalai-lama-touching-lady-gaga-inappropriately-goes-viral/405023/}}</ref>