And news that should give the Chinese indigestion: The Dalai Lama was today named as the winner of the prestigious Templeton Prize 2012 for his exceptional contribution to affirming life's spiritual dimension. 

The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader has vigorously focused on the connections between the investigative traditions of science and Buddhism as a way to better understand and advance what both disciplines might offer the world, a release from the John Templeton Foundation said. 

The 1.1 million pounds prize will be presented to the Dalai ama at the St Paul's Cathedral in London on May 14.

At the Brics summit, speaking to reporters, a spokesperson for the Chinese govt strongly opposed what they believe to be the Dalai Lama's attempt to instigate extreme views and said it was not in tune with the Buddha's teachings