近來在網路瘋傳的這段影片中，達賴喇嘛與一名小男童先是親吻臉頰，接著又要小男孩親吻他的嘴唇，但最引發爭議的，則是達賴喇嘛後來伸出舌頭，說「可以吸我的舌頭」，但最後小男孩靠近時，他又後退還輕拍了一下小男孩肩膀，看似意指這只是個玩笑，但仍引起巨大的批評，甚至有人質疑達賴言行失當「讓人作噁。」
但有11萬粉絲追蹤，曾旅居西藏的作家《Pazu 薯伯伯》昨則發文分析，質疑這也是一場網路世界的認知作戰。
他附上一段未經修剪過的原始影片，也還原當時情況。他表示當時小男孩在一場見面會上，站在達賴面前，大家本以為他是想問問題，沒想到小男孩卻說「Can I hug you? 」（我可以抱你嗎？）一度惹來哄堂大笑。
但有些年紀的達賴，一開始沒聽懂小男孩要求，一旁還有女士搖頭，看似反對認為小朋友提問不當，但小男孩還很堅持，又說「It's a question.」（這就是提問啊。）直到達賴弄懂小男孩要求後，隨即瀟灑說道「Okay, come on!」（好吧，來吧。）
《Pazu 薯伯伯》表示，原本拍攝者是VOA 藏語部，片段分享後一直都沒有人批評，直到十多天前，許多頻道轉載後，用合成的配音遮蓋原本的對話，並用強烈的指控達賴行為不當。但《Pazu 薯伯伯》發現，這幾個頻道，成立時間都很晚，多半是近日才成立。
《Pazu 薯伯伯》表示，達賴最後並未真的讓小男孩碰到他的舌頭，而是在快碰到時縮回，還用手拍了小孩肩膀，像是告訴對方這只是個玩笑，接著慎重的對孩子說「謝謝。現在你應該看看那些創造和平、幸福的好人，不應該跟隨那些總是殺人的人，你不應該看這些人。」隨後兩人擁抱，看似溫暖的情境下，達賴又調皮的搔了小男孩腋窩，讓小朋友格格笑了起來，最後大家也一起合照留念。
《Pazu 薯伯伯》說「我的好朋友西藏詩人及作家茨仁唯色在更早時已看過相關片段，根本不覺得有何問題，反而是尊者以慈悲和富有幽默的愛，給予眾生哪怕是一個孩童所希望的關懷。」
《Pazu 薯伯伯》也以自己曾旅居西藏的經驗，分享曾有遊客問他，看到年長的藏人對著他們伸手，手指向天，然後吐舌，覺得很怪。但其實西藏旅遊指南《Lonely Planet: Tibet》（2019 年，第 10 版）有一章在提及藏人風俗，就有特別寫明這點：「Older country folk may stick out their tongue when they meet you, a very traditional form of respect that greeted the very first travellers to Tibet centuries ago.」（年長鄉人在見到你時可能會伸出舌頭，這是非常傳統的尊重方式，幾個世紀前第一批來藏旅客也受如此歡迎。）
他還說，在西藏文化中，舌頭引伸出來的文化含意明顯更多，絕非一面倒的負面印象，尤其對老一輩的藏人。不只是舌頭有不同含意，連親嘴也會有不同理解。例如在西方世界少見父母親小孩嘴巴，但在西藏卻很普遍。作家茨仁唯色也曾和他分享，表示藏人父母或長輩會用藏語跟他們說：「薔布其、貝果度、喔節。」意思是臉貼臉、碰額頭、親嘴唇。有另一藏人分享，他以前在同學面前與祖母親嘴道別，這種行為純粹表達親切的關心，但不懂這樣文化的同學，看了卻覺奇怪。
《Pazu 薯伯伯》說，對於熟悉西藏文化的人來說，例如我的西藏好朋友，以及觀乎現場參與者的反應，看到該片段不單沒有負面感覺，還覺得這個動作包含著慈愛與幽默。
《本文經 Pazu 薯伯伯（Facebook @ pazukong）授權刊登，未經同意請勿拷貝轉載》
網絡世界認知戰：談談對尊者達賴喇嘛的攻擊
尊者達賴喇嘛在印度達蘭薩拉與百多名印度高中生見面，有環節讓現場信眾或參與者提問問題，提問者除了學生，還有小孩。一名小孩站在米高峰前詢問尊者，本來以為是甚麼人生問題，但小孩卻問：「Can I hug you? 」（我可以抱你嗎？）惹來哄堂大笑。
尊者見小孩發問後眾笑，先是不明所以，用藏語問工作人員：「（小孩）說甚麼？」工作人員以藏語解釋：「尊者，小孩問可以擁抱嗎？」尊者仍沒會意，問：「甚麼？」工作人員第二次把問題翻譯成藏語：「小孩問可否擁抱。」另一名工作人員用藏語補充翻譯，但這次把擁抱一詞改用英文原字 hug：「小孩問可以 hug 嗎？」
為甚麼這樣簡單的提問，會使尊者如此不解？一來據聞年屆 87 的尊者聽力不太好，二來這個「擁抱」要求就很不常見，起碼藏人肯定不敢提出。在法會，信眾與法座上的上師一向都會保持距離。過往尊者的法會有小孩及青年的提問環節，分享他們學業或朋友之間的困難，請求尊者解答並提供人生建議，但從來未聽過有人要求擁抱。若仔細留意，小孩發問後，旁邊一位印度女士就笑著搖頭，手掌向上微微搖擺，溫柔地暗示小孩提問不當。
小孩似乎怕尊者不答應，還說了一句：「It's a question.」（這就是提問啊。）
尊者聽明白後，給了出乎意料的回應，惹來哄堂大笑，夾雜掌聲。他說：「Okay, come on!」（好吧，來吧。）
在原來的片段，清楚看到台下有大批身穿畢業袍的學生，台上有多名信眾及職員，尊者是在大庭廣眾前叫小孩親自己。拍攝片段的機構是 VOA 藏語部，本來片段一直沒有引起任何批評，但在十多天前（即 2023 年 3 月底）忽然被一大堆以合成英語（text to speech）作旁白的 YouTube 頻道轉載，合成聲音遮蓋原來對話，合成聲音是抖音上最常用的廣播女聲，屏幕只截取放大尊者與小孩二人的場面，並直接用上很強烈的指控。
可疑的是，其中一些剪輯並轉載片段的 YouTube 頻道頗不尋常。我整理了 YouTube 上幾個最早期發佈剪輯影片的戶口，記錄影片上載日期及頻道成立日期。
1. K 字頭頻道：頭像為達賴喇嘛笑臉，頻道成立日期為 2023 年 3 月 31 日，影片上傳日期為 2023 年 3 月 31 日。
2. R 字頭頻道：頭像為 R 英文字，頻道成立日期為 2023 年 4月 1 日，影片上傳日期為 2023 年 4 月 1 日。
3. I 字頭頻道：頭像為非洲女性照片，頻道成立日期為 2023 年 4月 6 日，影片上傳日期為 2023 年 4 月 7 日。
4. F 字頭頻道：頭像為 F 英文字，頻道成立日期為 2020 年 1 月 1 日，影片上傳日期為 2023 年 4 月 9 日。
以上戶口除了第 4 個外，其餘都是剛成立便馬上發佈指控達賴喇嘛片段，沒有其他活動。至於那個三年前元旦日開啟的戶口，三年間沒有發佈其他影片，亦沒有訂閱其他頻道。我沒有抖音戶口，目前未知在抖音上該影片傳播的軌跡。
不知有多少人看過最原始沒有修剪的影片，亦不知有多少人有參加過法會，我在評論區放了一個不經剪輯的原始片段，大家可看，自行判斷。
* * *
在片段中可見，尊者達賴喇嘛容許小孩走到法座上後，跟小孩說了以下的話：「First here. 」說罷指指自己右臉頰，小孩親了一下。跟著尊者指指自己嘴唇，說：「Here also.」示意小孩可以親親嘴，說罷在場人士都笑了起來並拍手。之後他說了一下：「And suck my tongue.」尊者伸出舌頭，但沒真的讓小孩親下去，反而像做鬼臉，縮回舌頭，並用右手開玩笑地拍了小孩左肩一下，小孩一邊笑一邊看著尊者，尊者握著小孩手，說：「Thank you, thank you!」並把小孩手觸碰自己臉頰。
還有後續，尊者跟小孩說：「Thank you. Now you should look those good human beings who create peace, happiness, should not follow those human beings who are always killing other people. You should not look these people.」（謝謝。現在你應該看看那些創造和平、幸福的好人，不應該跟隨那些總是殺人的人，你不應該看這些人。）
小孩聽罷點一點頭，尊者再讓小孩給他一個擁抱，小孩主動張開雙手，投入尊者懷中。然後出現了一幕很搞笑的片段，卻居然未見批評者提及。片段清楚顯示，當小孩最後擁抱尊者時張開了手臂，尊者順便伸出右手搔小孩的腋窩，小孩發癢縮肩膊，忍不住笑了出來，在場人士見狀，同樣哈哈大笑起來。法會完結後，小孩、學生與信眾亦一起跟尊者合照留念，小孩高興地坐在尊者前方。
我的好朋友西藏詩人及作家茨仁唯色在更早時已看過相關片段，根本不覺得有何問題，反而是尊者以慈悲和富有幽默的愛，給予眾生哪怕是一個孩童所希望的關懷。
* * *
見不少人談論「suck my tongue」此話，還有人居然稱這是「濕吻」、「猥瑣」。然而我多次翻看片段，用最客觀的觀察及描述，怎麼可能叫做「濕吻」，連半點相似的動作也無，「濕吻」的指控是完全誇張及失實。至於有人稱之為「猥瑣」，由於這是主觀觀感，建議讀者自行觀看影片再作判斷，但起碼我完全看不出有任何色情之意。
既然有不少人集中討論舌頭，我又說一個小故事。
我曾旅居西藏多年，經常有遊客問我一件事，說在拉薩八廓街時，忽見有些年長的藏人會對他們伸手（手指向天），並伸出舌頭，覺得很怪，有人還以為伸手是要錢呢。但其實西藏有一個古老傳統，待客時會伸出手，手掌向天，手指朝上，並同時伸出舌頭，以示尊重。著名的旅遊指南《Lonely Planet: Tibet》（2019 年，第 10 版）有一章提及藏人風俗還特別寫明這句：「Older country folk may stick out their tongue when they meet you, a very traditional form of respect that greeted the very first travellers to Tibet centuries ago.」（年長鄉人在見到你時可能會伸出舌頭，這是非常傳統的尊重方式，幾個世紀前第一批來藏旅客也受如此歡迎。）
《Tibet: The Bradt Travel Guide》（2018 年，352 頁）亦有類似描述：「In old Tibet, a respectful form of humble greeting was to extrude the tongue (which had better be pink, because the tongue of an evil person was reckoned to be brown or black). The gesture is still used in remote parts of Tibet.」（在古老的西藏，尊重謙卑問候的方式是伸出舌頭（最好是粉紅色的，因為邪惡之人的舌頭被認為是褐色或黑色）。這種身體動作在西藏偏遠地區仍然使用。）
西藏文化中，舌頭引伸出來的文化含意明顯更多，絕非一面倒的負面印象，尤其對老一輩的藏人。不只是舌頭有不同含意，連親嘴也會有不同理解。例如在西方世界少見父母親小孩嘴巴，但在西藏卻很普遍。唯色分享道，父母或長輩會用藏語跟他們說：「薔布其、貝果度、喔節。」意思是臉貼臉、碰額頭、親嘴唇。有另一藏人分享，他以前在同學面前與祖母親嘴道別，這種行為純粹表達親切的關心，但他的同學卻覺奇怪。
對於熟悉西藏文化的人來說，例如我的西藏好朋友，以及觀乎現場參與者的反應，看到該片段不單沒有負面感覺，還覺得這個動作包含著慈愛與幽默。
照片：網絡組圖，見到尊者在接見不同宗教背景的訪客時，常見的打招呼方式。
------
His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with more than a hundred Indian high school students in Dharamsala, India. During the event, attendees were allowed to ask questions, which included not only students but also young children. One child stood in front of the microphone and asked what was originally thought to be a question about life or religion. Instead, the child asked, "Can I hug you?" causing laughter in the room. His Holiness, initially not understanding the question due to the laughter, asked in Tibetan what the child had said. A staff member translated, "Your Holiness, the child asked if he could hug you?" The Dalai Lama still didn't understand and asked again, "What?" The staff member translated the question into Tibetan a second time, and another staff member added the English word "hug" to the translation. There were two reasons for His Holiness's confusion: one, he is 87 years old and reportedly hard of hearing; two, such a request for a hug is quite unusual, especially for Tibetans who would not dare to ask. During religious gatherings, there is usually a distance maintained between the audience and the spiritual leader on the stage. Children and young people often ask questions about their studies or friendships during these seminars, seeking advice and guidance, but never before has anyone asked for a hug. When the child asked the question, an Indian woman nearby gently shook her head with her palm up, subtly suggesting that the question was inappropriate. Fearing that the Dalai Lama might not agree, the child added, "It's a question." After understanding the question, His Holiness gave an unexpected response, causing more laughter and applause. He said, "Okay, come on!"
Perception Warfare in the Cyber World: Discussing the Attacks on His Holiness the Dalai Lama
In the original footage, many students in graduation gowns can be seen, along with numerous staff and attendees. His Holiness invited the child to approach him in front of everyone. The video was taken by the VOA Tibetan Service and had not attracted any criticism until it was suddenly reposted on numerous YouTube channels with synthesized English voiceovers (text-to-speech), which obscured the original dialogue. The screen only showed a close-up of His Holiness and the child, accompanied by strong accusations.
Some of the YouTube channels reposting and editing the footage are quite unusual, I listed out the earliest channels which posted the edited video, together with their upload date and channel creation date.
1. Channel starts with K: Profile picture is the Dalai Lama's smiling face, channel creation date is March 31, 2023, video upload date is March 31, 2023.
2. Channel starts with R: Profile picture is the letter R, channel creation date is April 1, 2023, video upload date is April 1, 2023.
3. Channel starts with I: Profile picture is a photo of an African woman, channel creation date is April 6, 2023, video upload date is April 7, 2023.
4. Channel starts with F: Profile picture is the letter F, channel creation date is January 1, 2020, video upload date is April 9, 2023.
Except for the fourth account, the others were created and immediately uploaded the accusatory footage of the Dalai Lama, with no other activity. The account created on New Year's Day in 2020 has not uploaded any other videos nor subscribed to any other channels. The trajectory of the video's spread on TikTok is currently unknown as I do not use Tiktok.
It is unclear how many people have seen the original unedited video or attended the religious gathering. In the comments section, an unedited version of the original video was shared for everyone to watch and judge for themselves.
* * *
In the video clip, it can be seen that the respected Dalai Lama allowed the child to approach him on the stage, and said to the child, "First here." He pointed to his right cheek, and the child gave him a kiss. Then the Dalai Lama pointed to his lips and said, "Here also," indicating that the child could kiss his mouth. Everyone in the audience laughed and applauded. Afterwards, he said, "And suck my tongue." The Dalai Lama stuck out his tongue but did not actually let the child kiss it. Instead, he retracted his tongue as if making a funny face, playfully patted the child's left shoulder with his right hand, and the child laughed while looking at the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama held the child's hand, saying, "Thank you, thank you!" and touched the child's hand to his own cheek.
There's more. The Dalai Lama told the child, "Thank you. Now you should look at those good human beings who create peace and happiness, and not follow those human beings who are always killing other people. You should not look at these people." The child nodded, and the Dalai Lama let the child give him a hug. The child opened his arms and embraced the Dalai Lama. Then a funny scene occurred, which surprisingly has not been mentioned by critics. The clip clearly shows that when the child hugged the Dalai Lama with open arms, the Dalai Lama playfully scratched the child's armpit with his right hand, causing the child to laugh and shrug from the tickling. The audience laughed along.
After the event, the child, students, and followers took a group photo with the Dalai Lama, and the child happily sat in front of him.
My good friend, the Tibetan poet and writer Tsering Woeser, had seen the clip earlier and did not think there was any problem. On the contrary, the Dalai Lama showed compassion and humorous love, giving care to all beings, even a child.
Many people have discussed the phrase "suck my tongue," and some have even called it a "tongue kiss" or "lewd." However, after watching the clip multiple times with an objective observation and description, I cannot see how it could be called a "tongue kiss," as there is not even a hint of a similar action. The accusation of a "tongue kiss" is completely exaggerated and untrue. As for the term "lewd," since this is a subjective impression, I suggest readers watch the video themselves and make their own judgment. At the very least, I see no hint of any sexual intent.
Since many people are focused on the tongue, let me share a little story.
I once lived in Tibet for many years and often had tourists ask me why some older Tibetans would stretch out their hands (pointing to the sky) and stick out their tongues when greeting them on Barkhor Street in Lhasa. Some even thought the outstretched hand was asking for money. However, in Tibet, there is an ancient tradition of showing respect by extending one's hand, palm up, fingers pointing to the sky, and simultaneously sticking out the tongue. The famous travel guide "Lonely Planet: Tibet" (2019, 10th edition) has a chapter mentioning this Tibetan custom, stating: "Older country folk may stick out their tongue when they meet you, a very traditional form of respect that greeted the very first travelers to Tibet centuries ago."
"Tibet: The Bradt Travel Guide" (2018, p. 352) also has a similar description: "In old Tibet, a respectful form of humble greeting was to extrude the tongue (which had better be pink, because the tongue of an evil person was reckoned to be brown or black). The gesture is still used in remote parts of Tibet."
In Tibetan culture, the meaning of sticking out one's tongue is clearly more diverse and not solely negative, especially for the older generation. Not only does the tongue have different meanings, but even kissing can be interpreted differently. For example, in the Western world, it is rare for parents to kiss their children's mouths, but in Tibet, it is quite common. Woeser shared that parents or elders would say "face-to-face, touching foreheads, kissing lips" to their children, a way of showing affection. Another Tibetan shared that he used to say goodbye to his grandmother with a kiss on the lips in front of his classmates. This action was simply expressing affection and care, but his classmates found it strange.
For those familiar with Tibetan culture, such as my Tibetan friends and considering the reactions of the participants at the scene, watching the clip does not evoke any negative feelings; instead, it conveys a sense of compassion and humor.
《本文經 Pazu 薯伯伯（Facebook @ pazukong）授權刊登，未經同意請勿拷貝轉載》
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達賴喇嘛要男童「吸我舌頭」 網瘋傳批「令人作嘔」！官方道歉了
