Tutu’s Templeton award for ‘spiritual principles’
On Tuesday Archbishop Desmond Tutu receives the Templeton prize for his work in “affirming life’s spiritual dimension”. But the civil rights activist has not said what he will do with the £1.1m award.
The destination of the £1.1m given to Archbishop Desmond Tutu as part of the Templeton prize is unlikely to be revealed this week.
It is awarded annually in recognition of the recipient’s “exceptional contribution to affirming life’s spiritual dimension, whether through insight, discovery, or practical works”.
“The archbishop is not announcing what he plans to do with the prize at all,” a spokesman told Channel 4 News. “Maybe some time in the future. Not today or this week.”
‘On the shoulders of others’
Established in 1972 by investor and philanthropist Sir John Templeton, it is the world’s largest monetary award given to an individual.
Archbishop Tutu said of his win: “When you are in a crowd and you stand out from the crowd it’s usually because you are being carried on the shoulders of others.
I want to acknowledge the wonderful people who accepted me as their leader and so to accept this prize in a representative capacity. Archbishop Tutu
“I want to acknowledge all the wonderful people who accepted me as their leader at home and so to accept this prize in a representative capacity.”
Last year, the Dalai Lama won the Templeton prize and donated the bulk of the money, £900,000, to Save the Children in India. He also donated £125,000 to the Minds and Life Institute.
Good causes
The monetary value of the prize has always been set to exceed that of the Nobel prize. The practice dates back to founder Sir John Templeton’s belief that “discoveries that illuminate spiritual questions can be quantifiably more vast than those from other worthy human endeavours”.
Judges look for substantial contribution to the sciences, philosophy, theology, practice including religious leadership, and creating organisations that inspire spiritual progress and constructive comment in journalism and communication.
Other winners have included scientists Francisco Ayala in 2010 and Astronomer Royal Martin Rees the following year. Mr Ayala donated the entire win to the University of California, Irvine, for students’ scholarships. The money was sent directly from the Templeton Foundation to the university.
Religion versus science
Awarding the prize to scientists has sparked concern among secular scientists such as Richard Dawkins, who says the prize blurs the line between religion and science.
High-profile prize-winners who have given away money from other prizes include Barack Obama, who donated his Nobel peace prize of $1.4m to 10 charities covering issues such as Haiti’s earthquake survivors and further education.
Another Nobel peace prize winner, John Hume, also donated his win to charity. In 1998, he was awarded the prize jointly with David Trimble for their part in the Northern Ireland peace process.
Mr Hume donated his entire £286,000 share to Northern Ireland’s poor and victims of violence.