Dalai Lama to give $1.7 million prize to a mystery beneficiary

The Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader, is to be awarded a $1.7 million prize – then instantly give it away.

Tenzin Gyatso, 76, the 14th Dalai Lama, will be presented with the Templeton Prize – the world's largest - at a ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London on Monday.

The Tibetan monk, believed by his followers to be the reincarnation of an ancient Buddhist leader, has not yet identified the recipient of the prize money.

China boosts security in Tibet following protests

Visiting St Paul’s for the first time, will receive the prize from Dr John M. Templeton, Jr, president and chairman of the John Templeton Foundation and son of the late prize founder.

Q&A: The Dalai Lama, Tibet and China

Guests at the ceremony, to be broadcast live on the internet on the organization’s website, will include the British actress Joanna Lumley.

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