The Tibetan spiritual leader has apologized after asking a young boy to suck his tongue in a video. It isn’t the first time he’s faced criticism.

The Dalai Lama, one of the world’s most influential religious figures and the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, is at the center of controversy for his recent interaction with a young boy.

A viral video in which the holiest figure in Tibetan Buddhism is seen kissing a boy on the lips and telling him to “suck my tongue” during a February event has sparked outrage among viewers. The Dalai Lama’s office issued an apology for the incident on Monday, suggesting the exchange was just a playful misunderstanding.

A clip of the Dalai Lama’s appearance for an event at the Tsuglagkhang Temple complex in Dharamshala, India has spread across social media in recent days.

It shows a young boy approaching the Dalai Lama and asking to hug him. The 87-year-old monk invites the boy on stage, motioning to his cheek for a kiss. The boy obliges and gives him a hug, before the Dalai Lama points to his lips and pulls the boy closer for a kiss on the mouth. After a few seconds, he says “and suck my tongue,” leaning toward the boy’s face with his tongue sticking out.

However, some commenters have “disgusting” and “abusive,” noting the boy’s apparent uneasiness, according to NPR. Many right-wing influencers in the U.S. have shared the video as an example of what they claim is rampant pedophilia.

The HAQ: Center for Child Rights based in Delhi told CNN the video “is certainly not about any cultural expression and even if it is, such cultural expressions are not acceptable.”