Is Dalai Lama's 'attractive female successor' remark really sexist?
The 14th Dalai Lama is one of the most revered spiritual leaders in the world, perceived as a figure of humanity and compassion. However, recently, the 83-year-old reiterated his older remarks, where he said that if he were to have a female successor, being attractive is a must-have. Needless to say, the remarks have invited severe backlash. Here are more details.
'Female Dalai Lama should be more attractive'
In an interview with BBC at his home in McLeodGanj, Himachal Pradesh, correspondent Rajini Vaidyanathan questioned the Dalai Lama- religious name: Tenzin Gyatso- about his previous remarks on attractiveness being a requirement for his female successor, if there's ever one. He responded, "If a female Dalai Lama comes, she should be more attractive," adding that people wouldn't prefer to see her if she's ugly.
When would the next Dalai Lama be chosen anyway?
As per Tibetan Buddhist traditions, when he reaches the age of 90, the Dalai Lama, in conjunction with other Buddhist leaders, will make a decision on whether his "reincarnation" should take up the mantle of being his successor as the 15th Dalai Lama.
'Real beauty is inner beauty, but appearance important'
When the correspondent asked if he would agree that amounts to the objectification of women and if inner beauty matters more, he said, "Yes, I think both." The Dalai Lama also suggested spending money on makeup, before adding, "Real beauty is inner beauty, that's true. But being human beings, I think appearance is also important." Can't spot the sexism? Let us help.
Why has 'appearance' only come up when women are discussed?
The Dalai Lama's explanation isn't hard to grasp, but we wonder why appearance never came up until a woman Dalai Lama was discussed when it could just as easily have been applied to men. Although he later stated that he supports women's rights and equal pay, his statements imply that appearance adds value to a woman, but men are just fine without it.
Vaidyanathan described the remarks as 'most surprising' in interview
Once is a mistake, twice is casual sexism
The Dalai Lama first expressed the sexist sentiments in 2015 BBC interview. He started off by saying, "Females biologically have more potential to show affection and compassion," and hence a female Dalai Lama would be better. He then recalled telling a French woman reporter in an interview, "If a female Dalai Lama comes, the face should be very attractive. Otherwise, it's not much use."
Despite interviewer's request for clarification, Dalai Lama stood by remarks
Notably, in the 2015 interview, the interviewer sought to confirm whether the Dalai Lama was serious, to which, he said he was. The interviewer then moved on to other questions and BBC decided against highlighting the remarks when they published the interview.
I call myself a feminist: Dalai Lama in 2009
FYI, the Dalai Lama identifies as a 'feminist,' and he has for years, even back when it was 'controversial.' In 2009, during his International Freedom Award acceptance speech, he said, "I call myself a feminist. Isn't that what you call someone who fights for women's rights?" Sweet, right? But then he quickly backtracked, adding, "some feminists have too much emotion, that I don't like."
Followers offer explanation. Is it satisfactory? You decide
After the 2015 interview, followers defended the Dalai Lama and contextualized his remarks. A Buddhist monk, Tenzin Peljor, had told International Business Times that in Mahayana Buddhism, the 'attractive form' is one of the seven features of human birth required to help others. The monk added that a male successor would also be required to be good-looking, adding that attractiveness improves a leader's effectiveness.
Tibetan Feminist collective also offered an explanation
In 2015, Tibetan Feminist collective explained that the Dalai Lama who isn't fluent in English uses "self-deprecating humor" to poke fun at how the next reincarnation should be his opposite: a cis-woman and attractive. Are you still dissatisfied with the explanation? Well, then he's probably sexist.
