When I am there [Tibet], I am very happy. The Tibetans radiate. They literally send out light. His Holiness [ The Dalai Lama ] generates love and compassion to every human being. He has committed himself to that. I haven't made that leap yet. I haven't given up self-aspiration. I still love making movies.

Trivia:

When the Chinese government invited him to one of its film festivals, he agreed to go with two conditions: that he was allowed to bring his own interpreter and that he would stay in Taipei, Taiwan, during his visit. The government agreed and Gere went to the festival.