Hollywood stars meet the Dalai Lama

A host of celebrities including Amber Heard, Sharon Stone, Naomi Watts, Jim Carrey and Lupita Nyong'o dined with Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Wednesday (26Feb14).

The Hollywood stars joined politicians and public figures for a luncheon with the Nobel Peace Prize winner at The California Science Centre in Los Angeles.

After being introduced by Stone, the 78-year-old Dalai Lama gave an hour-long talk, and then answered questions which had been submitted by the star-studded audience.

Other celebrities who attended the event held by the Lourdes Foundation, a charity for disadvantaged youths, included Anna Kendrick, Jeremy Renner, Rosario Dawson, Christina Hendricks, Malin Akerman and Kathy Bates, who told Variety.com, "I'm lucky to be here and I can't believe I'm here. I've followed the Tibetan people for years."

Actress Eva Longoria, who was also at the gathering, later posted on her Twitter.com account, "There's nothing more contagious than the Dalai Lama's laugh! What an honour to be with His Holiness today!"