Actor Richard Gere, who lives in Spain with his wife Alejandra Silva, traveled this Monday to Dharamshala, India. There, he joined the Dalai Lama to commemorate his 90th birthday, during a crucial week for the spiritual leader's succession.
The actor's visit is not coincidental, as he is known as one of the main defenders of the Tibetan cause in Hollywood. During these days, the Dalai Lama could announce details about his succession and express his rejection of Beijing's influence.
Ceremony at the main temple of McLeod Ganj
Gere took part in the opening ceremony at the main temple of McLeod Ganj, in northern India. He offered the Dalai Lama a khata, a white ceremonial scarf used as a greeting in Tibetan Buddhism.
The spiritual leader blessed the actor, who kissed his hands as a sign of respect. This visit highlights the actor's long struggle for Tibet's rights and his denunciation of Chinese interference.
A struggle of more than three decades against Chinese oppression
Gere has spent more than thirty years defending the freedom of the Tibetan people. That's why China banned him for years. In fact, in 1993 he was declared persona non grata after the actor criticized the human rights situation at the Oscars.
In 2012, Richard Gere stated that Tibetan culture and Buddhism will never disappear despite Chinese pressure. The Dalai Lama has lived in exile since 1959, where he leads a government in India.
Beijing, however, seeks to control the replacement through the appointment of its own successor. To do so, they kidnapped the Panchen Lama in 1995, a key figure in the process.