Dharamsala, Oct 26 (IANS): Hollywood veteran Richard Gere, known for his roles in "Primal Fear" and "Chicago", is here to spend time with his spiritual guru the Dalai Lama. He says his longing for joy is what took him closer to the Tibetans.

"My curiosity and quest for happiness landed me at a small Tibet hamlet in Kathmandu in 1970. Later, noted writer John F. Avedon, who wrote 'In Exile from the Land of Snows', raised my passion to go to Dharamsala to know more about Tibet," Gere said here Tuesday.

The actor is visiting Dharamsala, the hill town where the Dalai Lama lives and where the Tibetan government-in-exile is based.

Interacting with functionaries of the Central Tibetan Administration, Gere said: "It struck me very deeply when the Dalai Lama said during our first meeting that the Tibetans need help, especially from the Western friends."

Gere, who arrived here Monday, said the Tibetan people have won friends across the world for their rich culture and religion.

"We consider you as the best of who you are. We can never repay what Tibetans have contributed to the world."

Asked if he sees the possibility of the Tibetan issue getting resolved, he said: "It's of paramount importance to keep the community united."

He commended the three generations of Tibetans for doing well, especially in education and health.

"The failure is in Tibet. So we should try to improve the lives of Tibetans in Tibet," he added.

The Tibetan prime minister-in-exile, Lobsang Sangay, described Gere as a weather-tested friend. "In times of crisis, the Tibetan people have a man to bank on."

Gere, a practioner of Buddhism, was here in 2009 to take part in a dialogue at the Mind and Life conference.

The Dalai Lama along with many of his supporters fled Tibet and took refuge in India after Chinese troops moved in and took control of Lhasa in 1959. India is home to around 100,000 Tibetans.