Why Dalai Lama said he would prefer to die in India

The Dalai Lama has said that he would prefer dying in India surrounded by people who show love rather than 'artificial' Chinese officials.

"I told former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, I will live another 15-20 years, there is no question. At the time when I die, I prefer dying in India. India is surrounded by people who show love, not artificial something. If I die surrounded by Chinese officials...too much artificial. I prefer dying in this country with free democracy," he said

The Buddhist spiritual leader made the comments at an interaction organised by United States Institute of Peace.

The Dalai Lama also received the Alice and Clifford Spendlove Prize in Social Justice, Diplomacy and Tolerance, his office said on Thursday.

He is the 15th recipient of the award, founded by Merced native Sherrie Spendlove in 2005 at University of California, Merced.

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