The Dalai Lama has come under fire online for remarks some consider sexist.

The Tibetan Buddhist leader is in England this week, and in an interview with BBC journalist Clive Myrie, he urged European countries not to turn away refugees and to help bring peace to troubled regions, amongst other totally reasonable topics.

Five minutes into the interview, Myrie asked him if there will be a 15th incarnation of the Dalai Lama after his death, and whether that incarnation could, conceivably, be female.

He said yes, and went on to describe how he once explained to a female reporter that women should take a "more important role" in the world.

Then he dropped the bomb.

"And then, I told that reporter, if female Dalai Lama come, the face should be very attractive," he said.

"So you can only have a female Dalai Lama if they're attractive?" Myrie asked. "Is that what you're saying?"

The holy man doubled down.

"I mean, if female Dalai Lama come, then that female must be attractive, otherwise it is not much use," he said.

Emotions are running high online.

Some seem to be in shock at the Dalai Lama's out-of-touch remarks.

What has the Dalai Lama been smoking? <a href="http://t.co/GLJvB1yfC6">http://t.co/GLJvB1yfC6</a> —@charukesi

I love you man - but??? Dalai Lama Says A Female Successor Must Be “Very Attractive, Otherwise Not Much Use” <a href="http://t.co/tm6mTFQCl1">http://t.co/tm6mTFQCl1</a> —@Lianna_Turchin

Dalai Lama... the new Donald Trump. Good grief. <a href="http://t.co/7HwAfEo3TL">http://t.co/7HwAfEo3TL</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/marygeorgant">@marygeorgant</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BuzzFeedNews">@buzzfeednews</a> —@pagreenwood

Others have found a trace of irony in his words.

oh and because the Dalai Lama is such a hottie - ffs <a href="http://t.co/qzLokEQufl">http://t.co/qzLokEQufl</a> <a href="http://t.co/5MVr0uh2N9">pic.twitter.com/5MVr0uh2N9</a> —@Emmabarnett

Dalai Lama once said 'the world will be saved by the western woman." Gotta be cute tho, amiright? THIS <a href="https://twitter.com/BBC">@BBC</a> intrvu: <a href="http://t.co/xXfS5K1Jj2">http://t.co/xXfS5K1Jj2</a> —@slangwise

To be fair, the Dalai Lama has only gotten where he is because he's such a hottie. <a href="http://t.co/5NtVVqzIu5">http://t.co/5NtVVqzIu5</a> —@UUHCLibby

Some have come to his defence.

The internets are all aflutter b/c the Dalai Lama said his female successor would have to be "attractive." Newsflash: He's an imperfect man. —@freedomsfriend

Another example of how cultural ignorance leads to bad reporting. It isn't that the Dalai Lama WANTS his... <a href="http://t.co/0fxmAIny6V">http://t.co/0fxmAIny6V</a> —@natebostian

Many just seem disappointed.

Which is more disappointing, Atticus Finch's racism or Dalai Lama's misogyny? <a href="http://t.co/TcaVvwN0t0">http://t.co/TcaVvwN0t0</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoodbyeDalai?src=hash">#GoodbyeDalai</a> —@FilmingDocs

The Dalai Lama said WHAT?? I give up on everything. <a href="http://t.co/dUD4Urw9IJ">http://t.co/dUD4Urw9IJ</a> —@lttlredchicken

Is it just me, or was the age of enlightenment just sacked for a 15-yard loss? <a href="http://t.co/Twu63umyQs">http://t.co/Twu63umyQs</a> —@AlanFelyk

We've obviously still got a long way to go.