Richard Gere Arrives In Dharamshala To Join Dalai Lama's 90th Birthday Celebrations
Hollywood actor Richard Gere on Tuesday joined in celebrations in Dharamshala and the surrounding regions of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh ahead of the 90th birthday of 14th Dalai Lama.
While the Dalai Lama's birthday falls on July 6 as per the Gregorian calendar, festivities began on June 30 in accordance with the Tibetan calendar. The event has been attracting spiritual leaders, dignitaries, and well-wishers who have been arriving from different parts of the world.
Gere, is among the prominent people who have congregated in Dharamshala for the occasion that is attracting global spiritual leaders, dignitaries and well wishers.
Speaking to ANI during the event at Nechung Monastery, Gere remarked, "We're here in Dharamshala to celebrate His Holiness's 90th birthday, his good health, his strength and compassion. Nechung is one of my oldest friends... this monastery is very important to me and my son.
"He's been to my home in the US. He's also very close to my son, and it's always a delight being here. I've seen the pleasure of being here many times, so I feel like I have a connection with Nechung now. It's always a delight being here," Gere said.
In a significant ritual held at the Nechung Monastery, the Nechung Oracle, regarded as one of the protector deities of the Tibetan community, entered into a trance state to bless the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and its leaders. CTA President Penpa Tsering, ministers, parliamentarians, and many Tibetan devotees were present for the event.
Tsering explained the relevance of the ceremony, "This is the invocation of the Nechung Oracle. Nechung, along with Palden Lhamo, is an official protective deity of the Tibetan administration. We seek guidance from the oracle during periods of difficulty and uncertainty."
On June 30 celebration at Tsuglagkhang, the main Tibetan temple in Dharamshala, the Dalai Lama made a brief public appearance and reaffirmed his dedication to peace, compassion, and service to the Tibetan people and the broader global community.
The celebrations has drawn numerous interfaith leaders, underlining the Dalai Lama's influence beyond Buddhism.
Swami Chidanand Saraswati of Parmarth Niketan Ashram said, "Dalai Lama ji is a blessing to the world. His message is clear: peace over conflict. We are here to celebrate his 90 years of love and healing."
Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati emphasised the Dalai Lama's example of compassion in the face of adversity. "He has taught us that even amidst hurt, one can still choose love, forgiveness, and truth."
Jain Acharya Lokesh Muni echoed the message of non-violence and dialogue, "Religion is meant to connect, not divide. On this occasion, we reiterate that war solves nothing, dialogue and understanding are the paths forward."
From July 2 to 4, Dharamshala will host a three-day international Buddhist conference, bringing together senior monks and scholars from various global traditions.
The event will culminate in a major address by the Dalai Lama, during which he is expected to speak on the future of the Tibetan reincarnation tradition, a topic of considerable interest within the global Tibetan and Buddhist communities.
Additionally, the International Buddhist Confederation will host a special commemorative event on July 13 in New Delhi.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Poonam Dhillon makes shocking remarks about Sridevi, says actress played dumb to avoid...
Poonam Dhillon is one of the best actresses of Bollywood. She acted well in many Bollywood films in the 70s and ruled many hearts. Recently Poonam told how earlier actresses used to behave on and off the set. She has also given her opinion about actress Sridevi. Actresses used to pretend to be stupid In a conversation with ANI, Poonam told that earlier actresses used to behave in such a way that they are fair girls and stupid. They do not understand anything. Poonam said, 'This used to happen due to two reasons. Sometimes if non-veg jokes were told on the set, she would not sit and laugh at them. She would just pretend that she is not understanding what they said. So that some distance remains with the people. Because as soon as the actresses started telling non-veg jokes with the hero, they used to think that this is a sign that the actress has some expectations from them. So it was good to act stupid for years.' Sridevi was not stupid She told how people made wrong assumptions about late actress Sridevi. She said, 'Sridevi was a very brilliant actress. If she had been stupid, she would not have been so brilliant. People used to say that she is stupid. I say she was a very smart and intelligent girl. If she had been stupid, how could she have been such a brilliant actress? I refuse to believe this.' Poonam praises Sridevi Poonam worked with Sridevi in films like 'Sone Pe Suhaaga' and 'Judai'. Talking about her experience of working with the late star, Poonam said, 'I have always praised her work. I have worked with her in a few films. She was a calm person.' Sridevi died on February 24, 2018 in Dubai.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Apoorva Mukhija Shot For The Traitors Before IGL Controversy: 'I Was A Smaller Artist'
Last Updated: Apoorva Mukhija also expressed gratitude to the audience for showering love on her after watching the show. Social media personality Apoorva, famously known as The Rebel Kid, has been in headlines ever since her name popped up in 'India's Got Latent' controversy. She is currently being seen as a participant in the Indian adaptation of the reality television series The Traitors, hosted by Karan Johar. With her exceptional gameplay, she has managed to capture the viewers' attention, establishing a new fan base. Recently, in an interview with ANI, she opened up about her experience participating in the show. She also discussed how she would have behaved if the shooting for 'The Traitors' had taken place after the 'India's Got Talent' controversy. 'I actually did the show before the controversy, so it couldn't have affected me. But had I done it after the controversy, I would have been a little bit mellower, more careful with my words. So I felt like I went all out because I had nothing to lose back then. And I was a much smaller artist. Had I done it later, I would have just been a little more mindful," Apoorva said. Apoorva also expressed gratitude to the audience for showering love on her after watching the show on Prime Video. 'I think I played the game with all my heart and all of my brain cells combined. And I knew that hate is never permanent. People's perception changes. And I'm just so, so, so happy that through the show, I could do that. And the kind of love that I've gotten is just immense. It feels absolutely surreal," she said. Meanwhile, seeing the success of 'The Traitors', the makers have planned to renew the show for a second season. Recently, Prime Video announced that it has greenlit a second season of 'The Traitors', following the breakout success of the Indian adaptation of the BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning global format. Season 2 is being developed at the moment. First Published:
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Shikhar Dhawan announces debut autobiography
New Delhi [India], July 1 (ANI): Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has officially announced his much-anticipated debut autobiography, 'The One', through a heartfelt and introspective Instagram reel that has already resonated with fans across the country. Known for his flamboyant strokeplay, signature moustache twirl, and unwavering resilience, Dhawan is now ready to turn the spotlight inward, sharing his personal story beyond the boundaries and big scores. The announcement came with a deeply emotional message from the former Indian opener, 'Not every win makes it to the highlights. Not every loss shows on the scoreboard. 'The One' is the story of all the in-betweens. Of learning, unlearning, and showing up, every single one's from the heart.' 'The One' promises to be a raw and unfiltered journey through the many layers of Dhawan's life, from his childhood in Delhi, fuelled by dreams of wearing the Indian jersey, to becoming one of India's most consistent and celebrated openers in white-ball cricket. While cricketing accolades and iconic innings are expected, the book's real depth lies in the moments that went unnoticed, the battles with self-doubt, the emotional toll of injuries, personal reinventions, and silent comebacks. 'The One' captures the full spectrum of Dhawan's life, his career highs, personal trials, leadership roles, and the quieter, introspective struggles that shaped him. At its core, the book is about dreaming, falling, learning, and rising again and again. Dhawan announced retirement from all forms of Indian cricket. The former southpaw pulled the curtains down on his illustrious cricketing career with an emotional announcement on Instagram. Known for his effortless run-scoring, Dhawan was a standout performer for India, particularly in the ODI format. In 167 ODI matches, he amassed 6,793 runs at an impressive average of 44.1, including 17 centuries and 39 fifties. In Test cricket, where he formed memorable partnerships with Murali Vijay, Dhawan scored 2,315 runs in 34 matches at an average of 40.6, with seven centuries and five half-centuries. In T20Is, Dhawan made 68 appearances, scoring 1,759 runs at an average of 27.9, including 11 fifties. In the domestic circuit, he played 122 First-Class matches, accumulating 8,499 runs at an average of 44.26, with 25 centuries and 29 fifties. (ANI)
