On Demand
Fame and Enlightenment
Actor and activist Richard Gere talks about his Buddhist practice and the Dalai Lama’s visit to New York this Fall. The Dalai Lama’s visit is hosted by The Tibet Center and Richard Gere’s organization, Healing the Divide.
The CD Healing the Divide: A Concert for Peace and Reconciliation [LIVE] is available for purchase at Amazon.com. We played "Nivedan" by Anoushka Shankar to open the interview and "Diamond In Your Mind" by Tom Waits and Kronos Quartet to close.
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How is the world of "sentient beings" supposed to reach enlightenment with only the wealthy being able to hear the "deeper teachings" of the Dalai Lama?
It's my understanding that people can practice Buddhism while simulataneously practicing any other religion, is that correct? Does Mr. Gere practice any other religion(s)?
Also, I was curious if he believes in supernatural evil beings as portrayed in his movie, "The Mothman Prophecies," which was supposedely based on a true story.
enjoyed tom waits at end more than anything else...what was the cd/cut that was played?
The Chinese government may be helping to build temples in Tibet NOW... because they destroyed something close to 98% of the monasteries when they invaded Tibet in the first place. And, as Mr. Gere pointed out, these new temples are not run by real monks, they are tourist traps, and the money goes back to the government, not to the Tibetan community. That is not freedom of religion, that is exploitation, pure and simple.
They are not allowed to learn/speak their own language in schools or to wear their national dress... I really fail to see how they are treated "better" than the average Chinese citizen! If someone tried to tell "the other side" of colonialism, there would be an outcry. (Kind of like when the Pope said Native Americans were secretly crying out to be converted by the Spanish conquistadors.) Why are people so afraid of speaking out against China?
Brian, just because a friend tells you something doesn't mean it's true. And you didn't give Mr. Gere enough time to refute the lies. Unfortunately your listeners who don't know any better will think the lies are true.
Funny how left-lobed a lot of Brian's listeners seem to be!
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