Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 6: Hollywood actor and longtime Buddhist practitioner Richard Gere attended the 90th birthday celebrations of the 14th Dalai Lama in Dharamshala on Sunday, joining thousands of devotees and dignitaries in honoring the Tibetan spiritual leader.
Gere, known for his roles in films like Pretty Woman and Norman, met the Dalai Lama, receiving blessings and bowing respectfully as he kissed His Holiness’s hand. The actor was seen seated behind the Dalai Lama during the celebrations, which included vibrant traditional Tibetan dances performed by the community and followers of the spiritual leader.
Meanwhile, Tibetan monks in exile offered special prayers at Dorjidak Monastery near Shimla, where young boy monk Nawang Tashi Rapten—recognised as the reincarnation of Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, the head of the Nyingma school—led long-life prayers and ceremonially cut a cake wishing the Dalai Lama health and longevity.
Tibetan Buddhist monk Kunga Lama emphasized the profound significance of the occasion: “He [the Dalai Lama] is the identity of the Tibetan community, Tibetan unity, monks, and the whole culture of peace and compassion. It is our responsibility to carry out what he says as Buddhists.”
He added that prayers were also offered for those suffering from recent floods in Himachal Pradesh and people worldwide.
Born Lhamo Dhondup on July 6, 1935, in northeastern Tibet, the Dalai Lama was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at age two. Installed as spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet in 1940, he fled to India in 1959 after China’s violent crackdown on the Tibetan uprising. Since then, His Holiness has championed peace, non-violence, and compassion globally.
Festivities were marked across Tibetan settlements in India and abroad, with many expressing hope that the Dalai Lama’s lineage will continue through a recognized reincarnation.