Richard Gere
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2010-05-06/richard-gere
The star of "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "Chicago" on his acting career, his advocacy for human rights in Tibet, and his relationship with the Dalai Lama.
Guests
Richard Gere
Golden Globe Award-winning actor and advocate for human rights in Tibet.
Comments
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Please ask him how he came to go to the University of Massachusetts and does he go back?
from fellow Minuteman
Could you ask Richard Gere if he thinks there is a solution to the Tibet issue?
(I also emailed this -- couldn't get through on phone)
Could you ask Mr. Gere about how he feels about the fact that when His Holiness dies, Tibetan Buddhism as we know it dies as well. This is because in the religion, when the Dalai Lama dies, his successor is searched for by the Panchen Lama and his monks over years (and vice-versa), but the true Panchen Lama was kidnapped along with his family many years ago, and is now, if still alive, not allowed to be the Panchen Lama. I went to Shigatse, the seat of the Panchen Lama, and our Tibetan guide would just whisper "CHINESE Panchen Lama" looking at the "devotional" icons with the Chinese Panchen Lama's face. It was awful.
As yoou have remarked Buddhism does address the difficult questions we all face. Have you come to any conclusions that you can articulate as to why we are here, is there spiritual life after death and are all religions reaching for the same goal?
I feel Richard Gere is a loving, passionate and spiritual person. But I don't think he should be involved with Dalai Lama, because Tibet is more of political issue rather than human rights issue. He has not got a whole picture about Tibet, or XinJiang, or other problems in China.
I loved the movie "Days of Heaven". The languid telling of this beautiful story is brilliant as we see the plight of workers in the early 20th century in the Mid-west.
Please ask Mr. Gere to discuss how he copes with the issue of humility and in particular anatta in Buddhism.
Carolyn in Ohio
Mr Gere, how did you find your teacher? How long did you search?
If Mr Geer wasn't an actor what does he visualize as an alternate career.
The book that Richard recommended is The World of Tibetan Buddhism by the Dalai Lama. Richard actually wrote the foreword to the book as well. Here is a link for anyone who would like to check it out.
http://www.wisdompubs.org/Pages/display.lasso?-KeyValue=50&-Token.Action...
I really enjoyed the interview with Richard Gere.
I enjoyed Richard Gere's interview. I was a little confused about how to align the transition of self by removing defenses and defending Tibet as an autonomous country. I would appreciate some enlightenment about this seeming paradox.