Read about the Dalai Lama’s recent media trouble told by the IC PRSSA Blog Team!

By: Taryn Cordani

In this past week’s PR news, the Dalai Lama has been acting in ways that extremely defy the position’s stereotypes. The Dalai Lama has been criticized by gender equality campaigners for his sexist remarks in a recent interview.

It was not such a good week for the Dalai Lama from a Public Relations standpoint. The Tibetan Buddhist leader offended many equality activists on Monday when an online interview was released between him and BBC reporter, Clive Myrie. The Dalai Lama suggested in the conversation that his next successor could be female, but only if she was “very attractive.” When asked for clarification he elaborated, “When female Dalai Lama comes, then that female must be very attractive—otherwise not much use.” Nicole Rowe, spokeswoman for Progressive Women commented on the situation by saying, “While we’re pleased to hear the Dalai Lama is in favor 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.”

The Dalai Lama’s slip up can easily be rectified by his PR team. Perhaps he was confused about what the reporter was asking? Or he meant it in a different way? Sometimes even people as esteemed as this Buddhist leader say the wrong thing under pressure, so it is important not to scrutinize him too much for his mistake. Polls have shown that people believe the ordeal was completely blown out of proportion, and there have been many comments attached to the online articles defending the Dalai Lama. Easy damage control can be done to put this spiritual leader in a positive light once more. With his holiness traveling the world advocating for climate change activism and promoting human values such as compassion, tolerance, and forgiveness, it makes it quite hard to hold a grudge against this spiritual 80 year old man.

Source:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/24/dalai-lama-sexist-quip-ruffles-equality-activists