According to estimates, the Dalai Lama has a net worth of $130 million, from which he has contributed a sizeable sum to international relief efforts for natural disasters.
The highest spiritual figure in the Gelug or “Yellow Hat” school of Tibetan Buddhism is known as the Dalai Lama, a title granted by the Tibetan people.
Together with other religious leaders like Pope Francis, this recognised leader frequently ranks among the most admired men in the world. The Dalai Lama’s wealth attests to how adored he is all around the world.
The Dalai Lama, on the other hand, has recently been the subject of criticism following the viral social media video in which he kisses a child on the mouth before telling him to “suck his tongue.”
Although the event happened in February, the video has just been widely shared on social media, attracting considerable criticism and inciting demonstrations.
The Dalai Lama’s office apologised for the event and clarified that the spiritual leader frequently makes innocent, fun jokes about people, even in front of the public and cameras, in reaction to criticism.
Dalai Lama abusing a minor
The Dalai Lama apologised to the boy and his family as well as to the leader’s many friends throughout the world and expressed regret for any hurt that his comments may have caused.
Others have harshly condemned the Dalai Lama’s actions as unacceptable and damaging, particularly in the context of child abuse, while some have justified it as a cultural expression.
The Dalai Lama lives in exile in Dharamshala, where the M3M Foundation, a charitable arm of the Indian real estate business M3M Group, has published a statement denouncing all types of child abuse and urging religious leaders to speak out against it in both words and deeds.
The Dalai Lama continues to be regarded as a revered spiritual authority, but this recent episode has caused grave worry and generated vital discussions about proper conduct and the obligation of religious leaders to set good examples for their followers.
Who is Dalai Lama?
The Dalai Lama, who was given the name Lhamo Thondup when he was born in 1935, was identified as the 13th Dalai Lama’s reincarnation when he was just two years old.
The precise identification of his possessions from his previous life served as the foundation for his identification as the Dalai Lama.
At the age of 15, when China invaded Tibet in 1950, he had already completed his studies in Lhasa and had taken on the position of the Dalai Lama.
The Dalai Lama escaped to India in 1959 after China annexed Tibet, where he founded the Tibetan Government in Exile and rose to fame as a symbol of non-violence and peace around the world.
The current spiritual and political leader of Tibet is Tenzin Gyatso, better known as the 14th Dalai Lama, who is regarded as a living Bodhisattva.
Despite growing up as a monk, his attitudes around sexuality have changed with time.
He once believed that sex only brings temporary pleasure and difficulties later in life, but he now holds that all consensual s*xual acts that do not hurt others are morally acceptable in modern society.
From a secular standpoint, he has also urged acceptance and respect for people who identify as gay or transgender.
The Dalai Lama is dedicated to promoting the welfare of Tibetans and disseminates Tibetan Buddhist teachings while travelling the world.
He talks with religious leaders, academics, and world leaders while attending conferences on a variety of topics, including science and religion.
His writings include a wide range of subjects, such as Buddhism and science, women’s rights, the environment, nonviolence, interfaith communication, cognitive neuroscience, reproductive health, economics, physics, and astronomy.
For his efforts, the Dalai Lama won various honours, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 and the US Congressional Gold Medal in 2006.
The Dalai Lama’s fortune is an unexpected part of his existence. Who would have thought being a religious leader could be so lucrative. The Dalai Lama has come under fire and controversy in spite of his accomplishments.
