The part you quoted seems to be a copy-past from an image circulating all over the internet, which was previously removed from Reddit since it lacked credible sources.

And the article itself doesn't give any sources either, just links to other social media posts while insinuating that the reason the video of Dalai Lama went viral might be 'Chinese propaganda.'

I did however seen multiple scholars - including Uju Anya and Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, for instance - oppose the idea this could've been just a 'cultural greeting.' And given that both Dalai Lama and his organisation have a track record of inappropriate comments and actions I'm more inclined to believe the latter.

I see your point, though. I even looked for any mention of this practice prior to the incident and couldn't find much either.