International
Dalai Lama speaks on choice of female successor
The 14th Dalai Lama is the supreme spiritual leader of the Tibetan people and he is known to also support women’s causes. When asked by a reporter if he was open to a female succeeding him as the 15th reincarnated Dalai Lama, the highest ranking Buddhist said that it is possible and that the woman must be very attractive. He even went ahead to say that his own success is due to his own good-looks. And he wasn’t joking.
According to him, he is open to the idea of a female successor as long as she’s “very, very attractive.”
Speaking during a BBC interview published Monday, when Journalist Clive Myrie asked if there’s a possibility a woman could be a 15th incarnation of the Dalai Lama, he replied enthusiastically, “Yes! The female biologically [has] more potential to show affection … and compassion.”
The Dalai Lama said a reporter in Paris had asked him the same question years ago.
“In today’s world, a lot of trouble, a troubled world — I think females should take more important roles, and then I told that reporter, if a female Dalai Lama comes, their face should be very, very attractive,” the self-described feminist said.
Read also: 10 rules of life from Dalai Lama
“So you can only have a female Dalai Lama if they’re attractive? Is that what you’re saying?” Mr. Myrie asked.
“I mean, if female Dalai Lama come, then that female must be very attractive, otherwise not much use,” the Dalai Lama responded.
“You’re joking, I’m assuming,” Mr. Myrie said nervously. “Or you’re not joking?”
“No. True!” the Dalai Lama exclaimed.
He then joked that his own success is largely due to his attractiveness.
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