Tenzin Gyatso, the 87-year-old Dalai Lama, who is the spiritual head of the Tibetan people, has expressed regret for having asked a little boy to “suck” his tongue during a public ceremony.

A viral video had showed the spiritual leader planting a kiss on a young boy’s lips. He then stretched out his tongue, instructing the boy to suck it. 

“Suck my tongue,” the Dalai Lama urged the boy who only tilted his forehead to touch the leader’s own

The video, taken in February in Tsuglagkhang Temple in Dharamsala, northern India, elicited angry reactions from online users who alleged the Dalai Lama was preying on young children and that spirituality was not an excuse for such inappropriate behaviour.

It appeared the outrage got to the octogenarian leader as he caved in and issued a statement of apology on Monday.

“A video clip has been circulating that shows a recent meeting when a young boy asked his Holiness the Dalai Lama if he could give him a hug,” reads a statement on the spiritual leader’s Twitter account.

“His Holiness wishes to apologise to the boy and his family, as well as his many friends across the world, for the hurt his words may have caused.

The Dalai Lama’s office downplayed the incident as the leader’s way of teasing people he meets. 

“His Holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras,” adds the statement.

After an unsuccessful revolt against Chinese control in Tibet in 1959, the Dalai Lama fled to India, where he has since established a residence. In 1989, he received the Nobel Peace Prize.

When he turns 90, the 87-year-old spiritual leader is anticipated to appoint a successor.