Dalai Lama Net Worth: The Supremacy and Controversy of the Tibetan Monk and Religious Leader

Dalai Lama is a Tibetan monk and religious leader who started his reign in the 1940s. He's an important monk of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism and was formally recognized as the 14th Dalai Lama in 1939.

In his more than 80 years reign, see the life of Dalai Lama, his supremacy, and if he ever has a net worth.

Dalai Lama's Supremacy

Dalai Lama has been the highest spiritual leader and the head of Tibet since 1940.

He's considered a living Bodhisattva and the leader and monk of the Gelug school. He was first selected as the tulku of the 13th Dalai Lama in 1937 and officially recognized as the 14th Dalai Lama in a public declaration in 1939.

His enthronement was officially held on February 22, 1940, and he eventually assumed full temporal (political) duties on November 17, 1950.

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He established the Independent Tibetan government in exile in the north Indian hill station of Mussoorie on April 29, 1959. It was then moved to Dharamshala in May 1960.

Dalai Lama retired as a political head in 2011 to make way for the democratic government, the Central Tibetan Administration.

Come 1989, he received the Nobel Peace Prize and the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal in 2006.

Dalai Lama's Net Worth

It's not known if Dalai Lama has a net worth, as some say he's only worth $1. As a monk, he's not allowed to own any earthly possessions.

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However, a source contradicts the claim, saying he's actually worth $150 million, mostly from the books he published and awards he received with monetary prizes.

Dalai Lama's Controversy

Meanwhile, Dalai Lama issued a public apology after a bizarre video of him kissing a young Indian boy on the lips and asking the kid to suck his tongue went viral.

The incident occurred on February 28 at the Dalai Lama's temple in Dharamshala, per BBC.

In the clip, he could be seen sitting in a chair with the boy standing in front of him, surrounded by several people.

He held the boy's hand, pointed to his mouth, and kissed the child on the lip. The people were heard clapping and laughing.

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Later, Dalai Lama rested his forehead on the boy's forehead, stuck his tongue out, and asked the kid to suck it. From there, the laughing decreased.

The Dalai Lama then officially released a statement on Monday, April 10, to apologize.

"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," it read. "His holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras. He regrets the incident."

Dalai Lama's action has sparked widespread criticism from rights groups and social media users, calling his move inappropriate and asking for his removal as Buddhism's head monk.

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