GETTY The Dalai Lama said if a woman succeeds him she must be 'very attractive'

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Shocked social media users branded the spiritual leader sexist after he said there was no reason a woman could not replace him. The head monk of Tibetan Buddhism also claimed that a woman would be more biologically suited to show affection and compassion.

INSTAGRAM•@NICOLESCHERZY The Tibetan monk claimed that a female successor wouldn't be 'much use' without good looks

If a female Dalai Lama comes her face must be very attractive Dalai Lama

He recalled how he had originally made a comment to a French journalist about 15 years ago. The monk - who was in London this week promoting compassion - said: "I think females should take more important role. "I told the reporter, if a female Dalai Lama comes her face must be - should be - very attractive."

GETTY The 80-year-old attended Glastonbury for the first time this year

When asked for clarification, he continued: "When female Dalai Lama comes, then that female must be attractive, otherwise not much use." The 80-year-old Tibetan insisted that what he was saying was "true".

Social media users took to Twitter to express their bemusement at the spiritual leader's comments. Television personality Perez Hilton tweeted: "WHOA! I can't believe the #DalaiLama made such a SEXIST comment!"

Political satirist Greg Gutfeld likened the leader's claims to the brazen comments Donald Trump recently made about fellow Republican Carly Fiorina's looks. Trump came under fire for saying: "Look at that face! "Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president. I mean, she's a woman, and I'm not s'posedta say bad things, but really, folks, come on. Are we serious?"

TWITTER•@INDYHACK His comments drew comparisons with those of Donald Trump