The Dalai Lama has apologised for remarks made during a recent BBC interview in which he suggested that his female successor should be attractive.

On July 2, the office of the spiritual leader released a statement that said he was "deeply sorry" for the offence and hurt caused by his remarks.

Comments made as a joke

The Dalai Lama also clarified that the comments were meant in jest in its original context, during a conversation with the Paris editor of Vogue in 1992.

In stressing the need to go beyond appearances, he stated:

"His Holiness consistently emphasises the need for people to connect with each other on a deeper human level, rather than getting caught up in preconceptions based on superficial appearances.”

What did the Dalai Lama say?

On June 27, the Dalai Lama responded in the affirmative when asked by a BBC interviewer to clarify if he was open to a female successor.

The interviewer then brought up his statement, "That female must be attractive otherwise it's not much use", and highlighted that it was upsetting for women.

This drew the Dalai Lama's reply that if the female Dalai Lama was otherwise, people would prefer not to see her face.

When this drew the interviewer's response that such a comment would be seen as objectifying women, and that the issue was ultimately about who was on the inside, the Dalai Lama answered yes to both.

Humour lost in translation

For context, the statement added that his original remarks had partially been in response to the unfamiliar environment of working with a group that focused on high fashion.

It also highlighted that off-the-cuff remarks, which could be amusing in one cultural context, lost its humour when translated into another.

The statement added that the Dalai Lama "regrets any offence that may have been given”.

Dalai Lama against objectification of women

The statement also highlighted the Dalai Lama's opposition to the objectification of women and support for gender equality.

It said: “His Holiness has opposed the objectification of women, has supported women and their rights and celebrated the growing international consensus in support of gender equality and respect for women."

It also pointed out the Dalai Lama's suggestion for more female leaders so as to make the world a more peaceful place.

Clarifying the Dalai Lama's stance on refugees and migration

The statement further clarified the Dalai Lama's stance on refugees and migration too, noting that his position could have been "misinterpreted".

It added that the Dalai Lama appreciated the viewpoint that those who left might not want or be able to return to their own countries.

This was in relation to his “Keep Europe for Europeans” comment.

Additionally, the Dalai Lama also understood the uncertainties and difficulties that refugees and migrants faced in their new countries, where they had chosen to settle.

The statement also referenced an op-ed that the Dalai Lama had written for the Washington Post in June 2016, in which he had praised people who helped refugees, and added that he felt empathy for their situation, given his own status as a refugee.

The Dalai Lama added, however, that it was natural that refugees would want to return to the land where they were born.

He said: “First of all we must see peace and development restored in the countries refugees have fled, but in the long run it is natural to want to live in the land where you were born."

What did he say during the BBC interview on refugees and migrants?

During his interview, the interviewer noted that one of the Dalai Lama's quotes had been used by the Leave campaign during Brexit.

This statement was:

"The goal should be that migrants return and help rebuild their countries. You have to be practical. It's impossible for everyone to come."

The Dalai Lama replied that European countries should take in refugees and provide them with education and training, with the aim of eventually returning them to their own land.

When the interviewer then asked if refugees should be allowed to stay in Europe if they wanted to, the Dalai Lama replied that a limited number was acceptable but that it was impossible for the whole of Europe to become a Muslim or African country.

When this drew the interviewer’s query about the Dalai Lama’s own status as a refugee, the Dalai Lama replied it was better for refugees to return to their own lands and, "Keep Europe for Europeans."

Top photo by Lobsang Tsering via Dalai Lama Facebook