'He Belongs To Universe': Richard Gere Receives Dalai Lama's Blessings On His 90th Birthday

News18

06-07-2025

Last Updated:
Richard Gere received blessings from the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday in Dharamshala. Celebrations included anthems, dancers, and Indian ministers.
Hollywood actor and practising Buddhist Richard Gere received blessings from the Tibetan spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, on his 90th birthday on Sunday.
The actor was seen interacting with the Tibetan spiritual leader amid ongoing birthday celebrations in which Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh also participated.
Speaking at the event, Gere said, 'Your Holiness, on behalf of all us as Westeners, there was something very sweet I saw at religious conference, the confirmation that his Holiness agreed to continue the institution of Dalai Lama. But many of the Lamas who spoke out, they were openly declaring, Dalai Lama doesn't belong to the Tibet anymore, he belongs to the world… He belongs to the universe."
VIDEO | At the 90th birthday celebrations of Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, actor Richard Gere (@RichardGere66) says, 'Your Holiness, on behalf of all us as Westeners, there was something very sweet I saw at religious conference, the confirmation that his Holiness agreed to continue… pic.twitter.com/88Lvow1I5L — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 6, 2025
Richard Gere, who is famous for his iconic roles in various Hollywood movies, has time and again tried to bring the Tibetan cause to a global platform.
Speaking about his Dharamshala trip, Gere earlier said, 'All of my friends are here to celebrate the 90th birthday of the 14th Dalai Lama. This monastery is very important to me and my friends. It is always a delight being here."
Dharamshala Celebrates Dalai Lama's 90th Birthday
Before starting the celebrations, the Tibetan and Indian national anthems were played at the Main Tibetan Temple, where his 90th birthday celebrations were held.
Thousands of people had gathered in Dharamshala for the celebrations, and masked dancers were seen twirling to the sounds of gongs in traditional outfits.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also wished Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday.
'I join 1.4 billion Indians in extending our warmest wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday. He has been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline. His message has inspired respect and admiration across all faiths. We pray for his continued good health and long life," wrote the prime minister.
The Dalai Lama's 90th birthday comes days after he announced his succession plans and stated that only his office has the 'sole authority" to decide who will be his future reincarnation.
'No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter," said the Dalai Lama in his recorded message.
The statement contradicted China's long-standing position on the issue, and Beijing soon clarified that it holds the right to choose the next Dalai Lama based on old traditions from the time when China was ruled by emperors.
First Published:
July 06, 2025, 11:16 IST