CM Nitish Kumar Joins Dalai Lama and Richard Gere in Bodh Gaya

Bodh Gaya: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday participated in the conclusion of the 10-day long Kalchakra prayers led by the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama. Besides the Dalai Lama and a host of Bihar Ministers including Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Chowdhary and Bihar Assembly Speaker Uday Narayan Chowdhary, the Chief Minister also enjoyed the company of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and popular Hollywood star of films like 'Americal Gigolo, 'An Officer and a Gentleman', and 'Pretty Woman', among many others, Richard Gere. The 62-year old actor turned to Buddhism in the late '70s. He is also a prominent voice in the movement for the freedom of Tibet from China.

The sermon by the Dalai Lama was translated from Tibetan language to 18 different languages, including Hindi and English and was broadcast live on the FM radio.

On the occasion, the Tibetan leader released a book titled 'Beyond Religion' written by Gere.

The Chief Minister urged the Dalai Lama to keep visiting Bihar and hold an international event at the Buddha Smriti Park in Patna. He also accepted the demand of the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister to provide a piece of land in Bodh Gaya to build a top class dormitory for the visitors from his state that has a large population of people practicing Buddhism.

More than three lakh people from 64 countries participated in the 10-day event.

Also, Kumar, with his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Nabam Tuki, inaugurated a Mobile Medical Dispensary at the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) premises in the presence of its secretary N. Dorje.

Source: Patna Daily
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