Hosted by longtime Tibet advocate and ICT Chairman Richard Gere, Richard Gere In Conversation: Tibet and the Heart of Compassion is specially timed to commemorate the 19th anniversary of His Holiness receiving the Congressional Gold Medal, and is part of ICT’s ongoing commitment to honor his extraordinary life and legacy and a natural extension of ICT’s Compassion Rising initiative launched on his 90th birthday.
The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) is launching Richard Gere In Conversation: Tibet and the Heart of Compassion, a new video series offering an intimate portrait of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama through rare, deeply personal conversations with Tibetan spiritual leaders, public servants, and close associates who have known him, served him and shared in the extraordinary journey of modern Tibet.
The series is being launched at this moment to specially commemorate the 19th anniversary of His Holiness receiving the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress’s highest civilian honor. It is part of ICT’s ongoing commitment to honor the Dalai Lama’s extraordinary life and legacy, and a natural extension of ICT’s 2025 Compassion Rising World Tour initiative to honor his 90th birthday.
Hosted by actor, humanitarian and ICT Chairman Richard Gere, the series grew from the historic gathering in Dharamsala, India, for the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday in July 2025. As spiritual leaders, members of His Holiness’ family, Tibetan leaders, scholars and longtime public servants gathered from around the world to honor the milestone, Gere recognized an extraordinary opportunity to sit down with the people who have been closest to the Dalai Lama and invite them to offer a rare portrait of him.
The result is a living portrait assembled from the memories and experiences of those who have devoted their lives to serving the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people: stories of childhood and family; Tibet and exile; service and sacrifice; laughter and loss; and the enduring struggle to preserve Tibetan religion, language, culture and identity. This collection of conversations is at once an oral history, a meditation on service and compassion, and an intimate record of a generation whose lives are inseparable from the story of modern Tibet.
“Each of these extraordinary people I interviewed carries a different piece of His Holiness’s story. They opened a window I don’t think we have seen before. These dialogues explore the lives, stories and moments shared with His Holiness, offering a rare glimpse into the compassion, humor, and humanity that continue to inspire millions around the world,” said ICT Chairman Richard Gere.
“I hope this series will be a gift to the world: an intimate record of the one of the greatest Buddhist teachers and voices for peace of our time, told by those who know him best,” he added.
Richard Gere In Conversation is presented by the International Campaign for Tibet, in collaboration with the Gere Foundation, White Crane Films and Odyssey Pictures. The series features conversations with Tibetan spiritual leaders, scholars, public servants, and longtime associates of His Holiness, including Samdhong Rinpoche, Ama Jetsun Pema, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Dr. Gyal Lo, Drikung Rinpoche, Tempa Tsering, Sakya Gongma Trichen, Thupten Jinpa, Sakya Vajra, Tenzin Geche Tethong, Chhime Rigzin Chhoekyapa, Ling Rinpoche, and Nechung Kuten Rinpoche, among others.
“We wanted to create this series also for the Tibetans inside Tibet, who face severe restrictions on access to His Holiness – his image and his teachings. For them, these conversations have a special meaning. My great hope is that they receive this as a gift – an effort to preserve and share the stories, wisdom, and humanity of a leader from whom they have been forcibly separated, and whose return they continue to yearn and pray for,” said Gere.
Bringing His Holiness’s message to the world
Richard Gere In Conversation is ultimately part of ICT’s ongoing commitment to honor His Holiness’ extraordinary life and legacy and bring his message of compassion, peace and nonviolence to people around the world. It is also a natural extension of ICT’s Compassion Rising initiative around His Holiness’ 90th birthday, carrying forward that spirit of gratitude through a growing series of programs, projects and partnerships designed to make his wisdom, humanity and message more accessible.
From screenings, discussions and public programs around Wisdom of Happiness to Richard Gere In Conversation and other initiatives, ICT seeks to create meaningful opportunities for people everywhere to encounter and learn the universal values His Holiness has championed throughout his life.
“Our commitment is rooted in profound gratitude to His Holiness and in a desire to help make his wisdom, humanity and message more accessible to people everywhere,” said Tencho Gyatso, President of the International Campaign for Tibet.
“From Wisdom of Happiness to Richard Gere In Conversation, these projects offer different windows into His Holiness and the values he has devoted his life to sharing. We hope people around the world, and especially our Tibetan brothers and sisters inside Tibet, will have opportunities to know him more deeply and to carry his message of compassion, nonviolence and peace forward,” she added.
The first full conversation, with Tibetan educational sociologist Dr. Gyal Lo, premieres on YouTube on October 16, 2026, followed by additional conversations that will be released monthly, creating an expanding oral history of His Holiness’ life, influence and legacy.
Audiences can watch each conversation as it premieres on ICT’s YouTube channel, with the complete series also available subsequently through the International Campaign for Tibet website.