Hollywood actor Richard Gere leads candlelight march in Bodh Gaya

Bodh Gaya, Jan 7 (ANI): Hollywood actor Richard Gere on Wednesday led a candlelight march in Bodh Gaya, during a five-day teaching session by the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

Gere, a close follower of the Dalai Lama and chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet, reached Gaya incognito to participate in the teaching session.

Over 500 Buddhist monks from different countries, several Tibetans and locals participated in the march held as part of a prayer meeting for peace and prosperity in the world.

"I think people of all true traditions in their hearts know that we really are brothers and sisters, no matter how big our brains are. If we are living creatures, we really are here together and we are travelling on the road of life together, as brothers and sisters. So I am very thankful to be here, it's not what I had expected. Its really something quite extraordinary," Gere told reporters.

Gere, a Buddhist for some 25 years, arrived at Patna on Monday without informing the state government, and reached Bodh Gaya in a private vehicle.

Around 50,000 people from across the world are expected to assemble in Bodh Gaya over the five days to hear the Dalai Lama's discourses.

During his stay, the Dalai Lama will inaugurate a multimedia museum and see new stone carvings depicting scenes from the Buddha's life in the Mahabodhi Mahavihara premises. (ANI)