Richard Gere in Bodh Gaya to attend Dalai Lama's discourse

Hollywood star Richard Gere is attending a religious discourse on Buddhism by Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the 10-day Kalachakra puja in Bihar's Bodh Gaya, officials said on Monday.

An official at a Tibetan monastery said Gere arrived in Bodh Gaya Sunday.

The Dalai Lama on Sunday opened the Kalachakra puja, being held for world peace, at Buddhist holy site Bodh Gaya, about 110 km from Patna.

"Gere was impressed by the spiritual environment when he attended the first day of Kalachakra puja like any ordinary devotee of Dalai Lama," Lobsang Choedak, media officer of the Kalchakra arrangement committee, said on phone.

"He will be offering prayers, worshipping at the Mahabodhi temple and listening to religious discourses the next few days," Choedak said.

Choedak said Gere met the Dalai Lama and visited a few places, including the 1,500-year-old Mahabodhi temple -- the holiest Buddhist shrine as it was built near the spot where the Buddha attained enlightenment.

Gere, known for his performances in films like Pretty Woman and Runaway Bride, is considered one of the Dalai Lama's most high-profile followers.

He regularly visits Dharamsala, the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile in Himachal Pradesh.