The Dalai Lama has said any potential female successor to his role "must be very attractive," in an interview with the BBC, provoking accusations of sexism.
"I mean, if female Dalai Lama come, then that female must be very attractive," the 80-year-old was quoted by the Guardian as telling BBC reporter Clive Myrie. "Otherwise not much use."
Myrie said "really? You're joking."
The 14th Dalai Lama replied "no, true." He said there was no reason why a future Dalai Lama could not be a women.
The Buddhist leader's remarks on reincarnation provoked accusations of sexism that casted a shadow over his tour of the UK, which had began on Sept. 14.
Women's equality campaigners said the Dalai Lama's remarks were disappointing, according to the Guardian report.
Vivienne Hayes, CEO of the Women's Resource Center which campaigns widely on women's inequality, said "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 campaign against this," said the CEO.
