Richard Gere vows to fight lifelong for Tibet’s cause

Tribune News Service

McLeodganj, July 3

Richard Gere, veteran Hollywood actor and chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet, has reaffirmed his unwavering support for the Tibetan freedom movement and vowed to continue the fight even after the eventual passing away of the 14th Dalai Lama.

Gere, while addressing the International Tibet Youth Forum in McLeodganj on Thursday, criticised China for attempting to impose its will on the Tibetan people. “This is not a one-lifetime commitment, this is many lifetimes of commitment,” he said. “Tibetans have been highly abused for many, many decades by the Chinese Communist Party,” he added.

Gere, who has been an outspoken advocate for Tibet for decades, called for compassion and dialogue. “This is something that is for everyone — a sense of peace and compassion. If we have any problem, we can talk to each other. We don’t have to fight, we can solve the problem,” he added.

He also reflected on the Dalai Lama’s teachings, noting that the Tibetan spiritual leader had always reminded his followers of life’s impermanence. “His Holiness has been very clear that at some point, the body is going to fall apart. He can’t carry us on his shoulders forever. We have to carry ourselves and we have to carry each other,” he added.

Gere along with his son, Homer James Jigme Gere, is at present in Dharamsala to participate in the week-long spiritual and cultural celebrations marking the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday.