Richard Gere kisses the hand of the Dalai Lama as Hollywood legend and devout buddhist celebrates the spiritual leader's 90th birthday in India
Describing himself a "simple Buddhist monk" who usually didn't celebrate birthdays, the Dalai Lama celebrated Sunday's milestone by praying for peace after China insisted it would have the final say on who succeeded the Tibetan spiritual leader.
Gere, a practicing buddhist since 1978, was seen reverently kissing the spiritual leader's hand at the event, held at Dharamshala - headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile.
The Hollywood star, 75, best known for his starring roles in An Officer And A Gentleman and Pretty Woman, had previously taken to the podium, where he declared it a 'joyous, joyous day' to 'celebrate this extraordinary life'.
Gere has been a regular visitor to Dharamshala for decades and is a staunch advocate of the Tibetan Independence Movement, a non-profit organisation that supports the independence of Tibet from the People's Republic Of China.
He is also co-founder of cultural and educational non-profit Tibet House US, based in New York City, and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the International Campaign for Tibet.
The actor previously claimed his outspoken criticism of China and his Tibetan activism had scared off the big studios and affected him taking mainstream roles in Hollywood.
'There are definitely movies that I can't be in because the Chinese will say, "Not with him,"' he told the Hollywood Reporter in 2017.
'I recently had an episode where someone said they could not finance a film with me because it would upset the Chinese.'
Gere was even banned from the Academy Awards in 1993, after he spoke out about China's occupation of Tibet and its 'horrendous, horrendous human rights situation' when he was invited to present the award for best art direction.
That did not stop him from becoming an outspoken critic of China's regime and Gere has gone onto create two foundations, the Washington-based International Campaign for Tibet and The Gere Foundation in New York.
Gere, who has a long standing friendship with the Dalai Lama, is banned for life from China.
The actor claims he was not bothered by the Academy ban, saying: 'I didn't have to put on a tuxedo again. I was fine with that.'
On Sunday, Gere was among red-robed monks as they chanted at the Himalayan hilltop forested temples in India, home to the Dalai Lama since he and thousands of other Tibetans fled Chinese troops who crushed an uprising in their capital Lhasa in 1959.
'I am just a simple Buddhist monk; I don't normally engage in birthday celebrations,' the Dalai Lama said in a message, thanking those marking it with him for using the opportunity "to cultivate peace of mind and compassion".
Dressed in traditional robes and a flowing yellow wrap, he walked with the aid of two monks while flashing his trademark beaming smile to thousands of followers.
Beijing condemns the Nobel Peace Prize winner - who has led a lifelong campaign for greater autonomy for Tibet, a vast high-altitude plateau - as a rebel and separatist.
Alongside the celebrations, however, is the worry for Tibetans in exile that China will name its successor to bolster control over the territory it poured troops into in 1950 and has ruled ever since.
That raises the likelihood of rival challengers to the post; one by self-declared atheist Beijing, the other by the Dalai Lama's office based in neighbouring India, a regional rival of China.
The celebrations on Sunday are the culmination of days of long-life prayers for Tenzin Gyatso, who followers believe is the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, a man whose moral teachings and idiosyncratic humour have made him one of the world's most popular religious leaders.
'While it is important to work for material development, it is vital to focus on achieving peace of mind through cultivating a good heart and by being compassionate, not just toward near and dear ones, but toward everyone,' he said in his birthday message.
'Through this, you will contribute to making the world a better place.'
In a speech to followers, the Dalai Lama said his practice of Buddhism meant he had dedicated his life towards seeking compassion.
'I'm now 90 and... when I reflect on my life, I see that I have not wasted my life at all', he said, speaking in Tibetan.
'I would not have regrets at the time of my death; rather I would be able to die very peacefully.'
The celebrations also included his key announcement that, after being inundated with messages of support from fellow Tibetans both inside and in exile, the spiritual institution will continue after his death.
The ceremony ended with the Dalai Lama eating a slice of cake and thousands singing "happy birthday".
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