The Dalai Lama’s Sexist Remark About Potential Female Successor Does Not Go Over Well

In an interview on Thursday with the BBC‘s Clive Myrie, the Dalai Lama made some remarks about his potential successor being female that has many calling him sexist.

During the interview, Mr. Myrie asked the 80-year-old Dalai Lama if there would be a 15th Dalai Lama when he dies, and if so, could his successor be a woman. Speaking very bluntly, the Tibetan religious leader responds “yes, the female biologically [has] more potential to show affection and compassion.” What he said next has ruffled the feathers of many people.

“If a female Dalai Lama comes, their face should be very attractive.”

Giving the Dalai Lama a chance to redeem himself, Myrie asks him to clarify what he meant, but it didn’t get much better, “I mean if female Dalai Lama come, then that female must be very attractive, otherwise not much use.”

Myrie then asks the Dalai Lama if he was perhaps joking, to which he responded with a simple “no. True!”

The remarks are being labelled as sexist by equality advocates, who find it disappointing that a man with such widespread influence would base his opinion on a woman dependent on that woman’s level of attractiveness, rather than her accomplishments, says Vivienne Hayes, CEO of the Women’s Resource Centre, according to the Guardian.

“It’s disappointing that any woman’s ability to take on a leadership role should be determined by her appearance. This seems to be a common obsession across the media, given some of the comments about women in politics. We are concerned that society is in fact going backwards in terms of women’s equality, and will keep tirelessly campaigning against this.”

Another women’s rights activist, Nicole Rowe, spokeswoman for Progressive Women, echoed Hayes’ sentiments regarding the Dalai Lama’s sexist remarks.

“While we’re pleased to hear the Dalai Lama is in favour of the possibility of a female Dalai Lama, we’re surprised and greatly disappointed that a man of such compassion and wisdom could express such a retrograde opinion.”

Last week, during a nine day visit to the U.K., the Dalai Lama spoke to a gathering of people at Magdalen College in Oxford, about the future of the Lama tradition. According to the Daily Mail, he said that there is no guarantee the tradition will continue after his death, and that it is up to the Tibetan people whether another Dalai Lama should be appointed after him.

“The very institution of the Dalai Lama should continue, or not, according to the wishes of the Tibetan people. If they feel it is no longer relevant then it ought to be deceased. I have no concerns about that.”

[Image Credit: Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images]