The Dalai Lama relaxes under a blossoming tree in his garden.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama watching the TV series, Mahabharata.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama fixing a television set.
“In a lot of ways, he gave me everything a photographer ever wants from a subject,” the photographer says.
“He loves to play with animals – I was waiting for him one day when he suddenly showed up with a cat,” Rai says.
“When he sees his Tibetans, my god! You should see his eyes! It’s like a grandfather doting on his grandchildren,” Rai stated.
He hosted his siblings, including his older brother, Gyalo Thondup, whom he introduced to guests as a “troublemaker” said Rai.
He recalled being stopped by the Dalai Lama’s security. “I somehow managed to make eye contact with His Holiness and asked him if I could take some photos of him. He smiled and said yes,” Rai told the BBC.
