STORY: Long-time follower and Hollywood star Richard Gere on Sunday (July 6) said the Dalai Lama “belongs to the world” at the Tibetan spiritual leader’s 90th birthday celebration in Dharamshala, the small Indian town in the foothills of the Himalayas where the leader lives.

“The most extraordinary biped to ever walk on this planet,” added Gere as he ended his speech during the birthday celebrations attended by followers from around the world, celebrities, and officials from the United States and India.

The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama, turned 90 on Sunday after a week of celebrations by followers during which he riled China again and spoke about his hope to live beyond 130 and reincarnate after dying.

The Nobel laureate is regarded as one of the world's most influential religious leaders, with a following that extends well beyond Buddhism, but not by Beijing which calls him a separatist and has sought to bring the faith under its control.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: DHARAMSHALA, HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIA (JULY 6, 2025) (OHHDL - Do not obscure logo)

1. VARIOUS OF PERFORMERS DANCING AND SINGING AT TIBETAN SPIRITUAL LEADER THE DALAI LAMA’S 90TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

2. THE DALAI LAMA WATCHING PERFORMANCE

3. THE DALAI LAMA SEATED AND LISTENING TO SPEECH

4. MONKS APPLAUDING

5. ATTENDEES IN TRADITIONAL ATTIRE SEATED

6. THE DALAI LAMA SEATED

7. THE DALAI LAMA WAVING WHILE CENTRAL TIBETAN ADMINISTRATION CHIEF PENPA TSERING SPEAKS AT PODIUM

8. VARIOUS OF THE DALAI LAMA MAKING SPEECH

9. ATTENDEES CLAPPING

10. VARIOUS OF MONKS ATTENDING TO THE DALAI LAMA

11. TSERING INTRODUCING HOLLYWOOD ACTOR RICHARD GERE (SEATED BEHIND THE DALAI LAMA), GERE PUTTING HANDS TOGETHER

12. GERE SEATED NEXT TO HIS SON, HOMER GERE

13. GERE GREETING THE DALAI LAMA, KISSING THE DALAI LAMA’S HAND, WALKING TO PODIUM

14. MONKS LISTENING

15. GERE SPEAKING AT PODIUM

16. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LONG-TIME FOLLOWER OF THE DALAI LAMA AND HOLLYWOOD ACTOR, RICHARD GERE, SAYING: (PLEASE NOTE SOUNDBITE IS PARTIALLY OVERLAID OVER SHOT NUMBER 17)

“We’ve never seen someone like this, who totally embodies selflessness, complete love and compassion and wisdom. We’ve never seen a human being like this.”

17. MONKS IN AUDIENCE LISTENING

18. MONKS CLAPPING

19. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LONG-TIME FOLLOWER OF THE DALAI LAMA AND HOLLYWOOD ACTOR, RICHARD GERE, SAYING: (PLEASE NOTE SOUNDBITE IS PARTIALLY OVERLAID OVER SHOT NUMBER 20)

“His Holiness belongs to the world. And he belongs to the universe.”

20. ATTENDEES CLAPPING

21. ATTENDEES LISTENING

22. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LONG-TIME FOLLOWER OF THE DALAI LAMA AND HOLLYWOOD ACTOR, RICHARD GERE, SAYING:

“The most extraordinary biped to ever walk on this planet. Thank you, your Holiness.” / GERE PUTTING HANDS TOGETHER TOWARDS THE DALAI LAMA

23. ATTENDEES CLAPPING

24. GERE SHAKING HANDS, HUGGING AND TOUCHING FOREHEADS WITH THE DALAI LAMA

25. VARIOUS OF MONKS AND ATTENDEES SEATED