The Dalai Lama doubled down on previous controversial comments on a possible future female successor having to be attractive in a BBC interview published Thursday.

He was accused of sexism following an interview with the BBC in 2015 after stating that his future successor — or the next reincarnation of the Dalai Lama — can be a woman, but must be "very attractive" or she would be of "not much use."

The 83-year-old Buddhist monk is a Nobel Peace Prize winner and the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. He was hospitalized earlier this year for a chest infection.

BBC reporter Rajini Vaidyanathan followed up on these remarks, asking whether he understood how those comments could have angered women.

The Dalai Lama responded, saying that he made those comments "one time," before repeating his sentiments.

"If (a) female Dalai Lama comes, then she should be more attractive," he said, confirming his earlier statement.

He added that if she were not attractive, "people, I think, prefer not see her...that face."

"A lot of women would say that's objectifying women, it's about who you are on the inside," Vaidyanathan said.

The Dalai Lama replied, "Yes, I think both."

In the same interview, he railed against President Donald Trump, noting that his presidency has been marked by a "lack of moral principle."

USA TODAY has reached out to The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for comment.