Tenzin Gyatsothe religious leader better known as Dalai Lamaapologized in a statement for kissing a minor on the mouth.

The event was captured in a video that went viral on social networks, where the boy goes to the Dalai Lama and asks for a hug. Gyatso then grabs the minor by the chin and then kisses him on the mouth. The man then points to his mouth and sticks out his tongue, motioning for the boy to suck his tongue, but resting only his forehead on Gyatso’s.

They hug each other again and hold hands. After the interaction, the adults clap and laugh around the Dalai Lama.

“A video is circulating showing a recent gathering in which a young boy asks his holiness to give him a hug,” says the statement published on the spiritual leader’s official account.

“His Holiness would like to apologize to the boy and his family, as well as his many friends around the world, for the damage his words have caused. His Holiness often teases people he meets in harmless and mischievous ways, even in public and on camera. Regret the incident,” he concluded.

Although his supporters claim that Gyatso was joking, the man’s behavior has sparked negative reactions worldwide. In social networks, he has been accused of pedophilia because of his inappropriate interaction with the child.

Tenzin Gyatso holds the position of Dalai Lama, the highest representative of the Central Tibetan government. It is considered the reincarnation of the Avalokitesvara, one bodhisattva with eleven heads and a thousand arms representing human compassion.