millions of people turn to him for spiritual guidance. tonight, my exclusive in-depth interview with the dalai lama. >> i describe myself as a morning normal, no less. with the blessing -- >> an extraordinary and surprising conversation with the mo bell peace prize winner. >> do you think the world is a more peaceful place now than it was when you first became deli

llama? >> oh, yes. >> his candid word on the leaders. >> i like president bush. >> which one? >> the younger one. his policies may not be -- but as a person, human being, very nice person. i love him. >> his unexpected views on women. >> do you ever feel temptations when you see a woman? >> yeah. sometimes. this is very nice. >> as a humorous side of the dalai lama, you may have never seen before. >> i love your accent, british accent. >> thank you, your holiness. i like your accent. >> this is piers morgan tonight. a big story tonight, the dalai lama spiritual leader in exile one of the world's most visible and honored holy men, a nobel prize peace winner and in the united states. it's my pleasure to interview

his holiness, dalai lama. >> your holiness, how are you? >> fine. >> you're at the mayo clinic, had your regular check-up, everything healthy? >> the last seven years annually i got checked here and my physical condition remain more-or-less same. >> that's good. you are probably the most famous person i have ever interviewed. >> no? >> do you like being that famous? >> no, no. i always describe myself as a morning normal no less. i am one of the human beings. basically, we are the same. you britisher or -- >> i am british, yes. >> i am tibetan. basically, your emotion, my

emotion, your mind, my mind, your physical --of course, there's difference, the size of nose. but basically, same physical. i always look that way. we are the same. we are same. >> do you think that fame is a corrupting force in the modern world, celebrity? >> think it depends on the attitude, towards popularity or good name. if you too much attach, then sometimes you become hindrance to realize one's own weakness. sometimes as a people. originally, very nice person, like many people. at the beginning, truly dedicated people. but then eventually power spoils

it. so then sometimes become arrogant. so more practice want the dalai lama -- you see, he mentioned if you are becoming -- if you find more and more people respect you, then you must attend to yourself the lowest person. so that's very very important. it doesn't matter other people say it. first of all, in my own case, some people say god king, nonsense. some people say living buddha, nonsense. the other side, some people say, me, demon. that also nonsense. i'm simply a human being. >> when i was very young, kids of my age, when i was 8 or 9 years old, they wanted to be an

astronaut or, you know, a scientist or something like that. today's children, many of them, in all the surveys, want to be celebrities. they don't care how they get there, they just want to be celebrities. many people think that is damaging to modern society, that is the new aspiration for young peopl people. >> that word celebrity? >> celebrity. >> celebrity. they're famous. i think -- may i say so, most ca case, sports or singers or some nonsen nonsense, that part, that kind, one category that way. so another, i think, really,

scienti scientists genuine ly carry research, analyze, finding some new things. so i prefer this one, really, thinking. not just external or something. >> so you like famous people who are famous because they have done something serious, scientific? >> yes. >> intelligent, rather than perhaps more transitory, vac cuous. >> if you like, einstein. and some other -- these are really -- found some new things useful. sometimes too much emotion. then sometimes this new finding destructive. that is sad. but the founder of these new

things are great, not bad mistake, not their fault. >> we're here to discuss the world peace summit that you've been asked to speak at. do you think the world is a more peaceful place now than it was when you first became dalai lama? >> oh, yes. the fundamental level, i think in today's world, much better. at least with disappearing the berlin wall and eventually, big change happen. at least the two blocks, both have nuclear weapon ready to shoot each other. that kind of danger is now no longer. and some violence.

that is sad, but compared during that period was danger, i think today, i think much better. then i think it important, i think although the world peace is something almost become a profession, peace, peace, peace. even some people who really m e making every preparation for war, but they use the world peace, peace, peace. >> when you see the arab spring uprising through the middle east, and you see so many countries having young people who are better educated, who are no longer prepared to put up with virtual dictatorships and they rise up, are you supportive of their actions? do you think that is good for their world they do this? >> yes, in principle, i support, of course.

obviously. i always telling, expressing, word belo world belongs to humanity, not this leader or that leader or king or kings or religious leaders. the world belongs to humanity. and then each country essentially belongs to their own people. so in america i often express america belongs to american, around 300 million american people not the republican party or democratic party. >> do you think sometimes the politicians forget that? >> i don't think generally politicians come from democracy country, i think not that thinking. but sometimes a little bit

short-sighted. they are mainly looking for their next vote. that's true. >> that is a drawback. otherwise, i don't think, i don't think. so therefore, the best way to govern the country by the people is democracy. there's no question. no question. therefore, i -- my own case, i the dalai lama actually formally ended almost four centuries old tibetan tradition, alone head of the political or spiritual. that i now ended because you see, i very much impressed the

system. >> you actually, you overthrew yourself? >> oh, yes. voluntarily. happily, proudly. i have one secret. the day i formally ended it, that night, i had an unusually deep sleep. >> is that right? >> i was really happy. >> all the responsibility had gone. >> let's take a short break. >> the democracy system is the best system. so these movement in principle, very good. i would like to take this opportunity, now they achieved, basic goal, now time come they must be united all forces no matter your political thinking or something. they must work something. that's very very important, mainly thinking about the

economy condition and education are most important. that, i would like to say, i mean, i would like to take this opportunity. >> let's take a short break, your highness. when we come back, i want to pick you up on that same point. i want to ask you about china and america and the forthcoming presidential election. cuban cajun raw seafood pizza parlor french fondue tex-mex fro-yo tapas puck chinese takeout taco truck free range chicken pancake stack baked alaska 5% cashback. signup for 5% cashback at restaurants through june. it pays to discover.

>> let's take a short break, >> let's take a short break, no matter where you go.

no matter what you do. when you're living with moderate to severe crohn's disease, there are times it feels like your life... revolves around your symptoms. if you're tired of going around in circles, it may be time to ask your gastroenterologist about humira. because with humira, remission is possible. humira has been proven to work for adults who have tried other medications... but still experience the symptoms of moderate to severe crohn's disease. in clinical studies, the majority of patients on humira saw significant symptom relief. and many achieved remission. humira can lower your ability to fight infections, including tuberculosis. serious, sometimes fatal events, such as infections, lymphoma, or other types of cancer, have happened. blood, liver and nervous system problems, serious allergic reactions, and new or worsening heart failure have occurred. before starting humira, your doctor should test you for tb.

ask your doctor if you live in or have been to a region where certain fungal infections are common. tell your doctor if you have had tb, hepatitis b, are prone to infections, or have symptoms such as fever, fatigue, cough, or sores. you should not start humira if you have any kind of infection. if you're tired of going around in circles, get headed in a new direction. ask your gastroenterologist about humira today. remission is possible. i i'm with his holiness, dalai lama. china has become in your

lifetime one of the great two super powers of the world and may now economically in the next 10, 15 years, become the number one super power in the world. what do you think of modern china and how it's changed in the time you have been dalai lama? >> big change. in china, most populated nation. and also long history. i think really china, chinese, i think really a long history of civilization, rich culture. i wouldn't argue the richness of their food. however, in modern china, a lot of ups and downs. but i have full faith chinese peop people, they're hard working, realistic. so the last i think 50 years, i

think they already tested different experience. i think modern china, they got sort of troubled experience during the revolution. so after the revolution, seems they opened their eye. so things are changing, i feel very realistic person. somehow, he's communist, life-long communist dedicated person, so he very much keep the political power. now, that also now changing. now, president prime minister often on several occasions, including one, i think his meeting with cnn, he mentioned china needs political reform. he seems to -- >> are you pleased when you hear

that? >> oh, yes. as i mentioned earlier, my fundamental belief is china belongs to the chinese people, not communist party. >> is china's power -- >> things are changing. >> is china's new power good for tibeter dangerous for tibet? because the rest of the world may become so fearful offending the chinese they stop talking about tibet. >> yes. some feel that's right. but somehow it's a tibet issue. very much just the issue. also a more ral iss-- moral iss. and chinese sharing a sense over solidarity with us. many pars parts of the world

knows something about tibet and the current situation, i think very sympathetic. they have very much concern and the political feed, introducing a business company. yes, indeed, a little bit cautious. >> how did you feel when president obama delayed his meeting with you when he became president because the chinese obje objected and he met with them first. did that offend you? >> no. >> did you understand why he did that. >> actually, he said something sent to me explaining the reason. so better. first, his meeting. i think without some point with chinese complaining. so better. >> you understood that? >> yes. then, soon after he returned, he

want to see me. >> he gave you a 17 minute meeting, which is the longest time, i believe, any american president has ever spent with you in one meeting. what did he say to you, president obama? did he give you assurances he is going to help you? >> he inquired about tibet. i also explained what the current situation and hard thinking, and he show sort of genuine commitment to tibetan issue. >> does he share your vision, which is for a tibet has shared power between tibet and china? does he share that vision? >> yes. the middle approach, not seeking separation for all the interests, i find these things. of course, he already knows. then after our meeting, the

white house formally, clearly it's mentioned, very very good. very good meeting. and that also -- sorry - also -- sorry -- meeting the prevents t previous, the bush and clinton and the senior, the father of mr. bush, the father that i met was very nice. very nice, all very nice. >> since the start of 2011, activists say over 30 tibetans have self-immo lated, obviously, a very serious escallation in the number of people take their lives in this way. as their holy leader what do you think about this? what do you say to people thinking about doing the same thing? why are more people doing this now? >> of course, it's extremely sad. very sad. this is not something new.

in china itself, during the revolution, one important chinese monasteries abot himself and then also, you see, it happen. there are several cases there. these are one way they believe non-violence. and then the kings are desperate, they sacrifice their own life. so very sad. so now not solution, express we are very sad. we must think, what causes this desperate situation? >> what do you think it is? >> that's obvious. i offer you italian on chinese. now time come the chinese

government must take seriously and then they must follow the policies and minority, they must follow the policy, sticking to the facts. their policy must be realistic. they must exit reality. so then once they know the reality, and then process a poli policy, according to that reality, that's the policy. >> many of the tibetans who are taking their lives are doing so because they want a free tibet. that implies that they want separation from china. that's not what you want. >> no. >> you don't think that's achievable. better to have a shared power. what do you say to these young tibetans, desperate for a free

tibet chasing separation? do you think it's time they were told? >> some say yes. there have been a purpose. some people say that means independence, but many tibetan say feed. if they really want me back, really trust me, automatically, they will agree, my view. it is quite contradictions. they want dalai lama but they do not want dalai lama's idea. it is a contradictions. >> that is a big problem, isn't it? >> y, no. of course, to some people, right

from the beginning. always say, we want complete independence but majority of the people not only here but also inside tibet. a few of the kids, they say, i had few occasion, their views. even within tibet. you cannot do but from pocketbooks, most of the people, particular particularly more educated, more so realistic, they all fully support. >> do you believe the new chinese leadership are getting close to doing some kind of deal with tibet or not? do you believe they are thinking the right way? >> now, firstly, you see, they have policies regarding their

own people. there are indication. these are indication they're more moderate. more realistic. they seems upper hand, again upper hand but still too early to say. once the chinese leaders, communist leaders, they're really think iing, very easily n solve also the issue of the people and also in mongolia and china. i think they are. expressing one point to the chinese people have every right to know the reality. once people knows the reality, the chinese people also have the ability to judge what is right and wrong. therefore, the censorship is

immoral. chinese people should know the reality. censorship is very very subtle. >> if the sensor ship goes, and the reality comes out, there is more chance of a deal? >> certainly. 100 100%. >> let's take a short break. i will come back and talk to you about america. i want you to tell the american people what you think about modern america and how to keep america great. you have seen america for six decades, seven decades now? i'm interested in your vote. ♪

♪ i can do anything ♪ i can do anything today ♪ i can go anywhere ♪ i can go anywhere today ♪ la la la la la la la [ male announcer ] dow solutions help millions of people by helping to make gluten free bread that doesn't taste gluten free. together, the elements of science and the human element can solve anything. solutionism. the new optimism. he doesn't look like a heart attack patient. i was teaching a martial arts class and it hit me. we get to the emergency room... and then...and then they just wheeled him away. i had to come to that realization that "wow, i am having a heart attack." i can't punch this away. i'm on a bayer aspirin regimen. [ male announcer ] aspirin is not appropriate for everyone. so be sure to talk to you doctor before you begin an aspirin regimen.

i'm a fighter and nowadays i don't have that fear. [ male announcer ] learn how to protect your heart at i am proheart on facebook.

i'm back again with the dalai lama. your holiness, talk to me about america. what does america mean to you? >> oh, of course, the greatest democratic country. and i think a country because of the democracy, the freedom, freedom of thought, freedom of speech, i think a lot of innovation. you see, develop in this country. and then as a human being, american most straightforward very easily can talk. not like british. >> not like the british? your holiness, no need for that. >> english a little bit -- what's the -- >> polite is the word you're looking for. reserved. >> but one might sort of

experience first-time visit europe and then london, europe and then london, england, london. so once a reception. after my talk, one english gentleman, sort of dignified person approached me. then started kneeling then expressed to me he really admire you often say i don't know. so then i -- i felt english person seems difficult find to say i don't know. >> that is true. that is true. you'd never hear me say that. let's get back to modern america. clearly going through big problems at the moment. big economic problems. also examining itself as a country about its values. the american dream and how that has changed. many people out of work now

losing their homes and so on. what do you think of what has happened to america and how can it get itself back on track again? >> as i mentioned before, actually i asked the president, and he assured me, america, the fundamentalness of the economic condition is sound. so i often, you see, expressing when i give some public talk that in any case, america must succeed. democratic country. very powerful democratic country. it is not only american interest, but interest for the free world. so i think american lifestyle maybe i think should sort of -- should be more realistic and think there are some obstacles. there is no guarantee to further sort of go like that.

that, i think, and then after all there on global level 7 billion human being. some are rich. some are poor. and big sort of gap, rich and poor. >> do too many americans chase money as a beacon of success, do you think? >> huh? >> do too many americans see money as a form of success? is it a false dream having a lot of money? >> not only america, but also europe. also asia. money is the top most important value of our life. this is, i think, wrong. this is wrong. money or physical -- the material facility can provide only physical comfort. true physical comfort. some kind of mental sort of satisfaction is actually false.

delusion. so the real peace of mind must come through sort of inner mental strength. not money. not physical comfort. so that, i think, modern world, not only america, but modern world, even china and russia, now, you see, they -- much of the talk involves money. >> who are the most impressive world leaders that you've ever met in your life? who have that heart element to them. who understand this. >> well, i think leaders have to act according to voters' wish. >> who has impressed you? somebody like nelson mandela? i mean, which people that you've ever met have really impressed you? >> i think nelson mandela, i

think one of the sort of quite impressive. and then -- then, of course, as individual, individual person, i love president bush. >> which one? >> the younger one. >> really? >> yes. >> really? why? >> as a human being. >> really? >> not as a president of america. sometimes his policy may not be very, very successful, but as a person, as a human being, very nice person. i love him. >> but how did you feel that president bush went to war so much and was responsible for so many deaths if you're a man of peace? >> after he sort of start the iraq sort of crisis then my occasion meeting with him, then i express to him, i love you, but your policies concerned, i have some reservation. i told him. >> what did he say? maybe you should have been in his cabinet. >> that, you see, some -- oh. let's take a short break, your holiness. when we come back, i want to

talk to you about you and your life. ♪ ♪ we all need it. to move. to keep warm. to keep us fed. to make clay piggies. but to keep doing these things in the future... at shell, we believe the world needs a broader mix of energies. that's why we're supplying natural gas to generate cleaner electricity... that has around 50% fewer co2 emissions than coal. and it's also why, with our partner in brazil, shell is producing ethanol - a biofuel made from renewable sugarcane.

♪ >>a minute, mom! let's broaden the world's energy mix. let's go. ♪ let's broaden the world's energy mix. let's go. you want to save money on car insurance? no problem. you want to save money on rv insurance? no problem. you want to save money on motorcycle insurance? no problem. you want to find a place to park all these things? fuggedaboud it. this is new york. hey little guy, wake up! aw, come off it mate! geico. saving people money on more than just car insurance.

your doctor will say get smart about your weight. i tried weight loss plans... but their shakes aren't always made for people with diabetes. that's why there's glucerna hunger smart shakes. they have carb steady, with carbs that digest slowly to help minimize blood sugar spikes. and they have six grams of sugars. with fifteen grams of protein to help manage hunger... look who's getting smart about her weight. [ male announcer ] glucerna hunger smart. a smart way to help manage hunger and diabetes.

i'm back with his holiness, the dalai lama. your holiness, i want to get into your life and the kind of lifestyle that you lead because you're a fascinating man in many ways. first of all, you were a vegetarian, but then you got bored with that and went back to meat. is that right? >> yeah, right. of course, my early part of my life as a tibetan, you see, our main diet, nonvegetarian. then after i came to india, 65, i give up eating meat and eggs, fish. pure as day. so next about 20 months, then some illness. the gallbladder, jaundice problem. so my sort of face become yellow

and nails and eyes become yellow. so later i jokingly tell people, at that time i truly become living buddha. yellow person. so i really making sort of effort to put more vegetarian. but i myself remain nonvegetarian. >> let's move on to other issues. as a monk, you obviously subscribe to a vow of celibacy. >> yes. >> is that hard? >> no. if you just, you see, physical experience, that is sometimes you may find a certain desire. but then all picture, i often telling, one occasion in

england, some buddhist monk, european become buddhist monk, i told him, when you watch the people who have family, sometimes i notice my first visit, another woman, another wife. second visit, another woman, another wife. previous wife, some children. then another occasion, third -- third wife. so this is really children suffer much when divorce, parent divorce. and i told the married people, their mental state, their emotional state, too much ups and downs. compare that with celibate people's mind, more steady. so long run we have some advantage. >> do you ever feel temptation when you see a woman? >> oh, yeah, sometimes, you

think, this is very nice. but then thinking, thinking it's a real job. then feel, oh, too much a problem. too much dirty things like that. >> really? >> really. even my dream. it's just some sort of dreaming some woman like that. immediately i am monk. i never dreamt in my dream i'm dalai lama. i always remember i'm mornink, buddhist monk. >> do you ever drink alcohol? >> never. >> have you ever smoked a cigarette? >> no. >> ever taken a drug? >> no. >> nothing? >> why? >> completely? i don't know. i'm just asking. i didn't know the answers. >> no, no, no. i mean, drugs, if your mind is little disturbances, unrest, then there is no other choice. relying on tranquilizers or

drugs or alcohol. my mind, our mind quite peaceful. so no need these things. >> have you always been peaceful? >> and then -- wait, wait, wait. the wine, tibetan wine. when i was very young, i think 7, 8 years, very young, one night, one evening, late evening, i'm just playing. then one person you see carrying two bottles. and i immediately run towards him. and then my finger, put in the bottle. very sweet. then i ask that person, please, one bottle, put in my bedroom. >> oh, i'm shocked, your holiness. what happened then? did you drink it? >> after my play, i return my room.

and there is the bottle. one bottle there. i touch. just water. so they -- you see it that bottle. >> and you can still remember that bottle, can't you? you wish you had drunk it. do you watch television? >> yes, in the past. last two years, no. >> what programs would you watch? >> usually like "discovery" or some sort of documentary thing. it's very good. >> did you ever watch entertainment programs? >> no. >> you never watched "american idol?" >> idol is -- no. >> simon cowell? do you know who simon cowell is? >> i don't know. >> that's the right answer. i like that. do you listen to music? >> no. >> not at all? >> no. >> really? >> really. >> no music at all? >> i have no interest. >> really? >> yes. >> do you ever watch movies? >> no. >> you've never seen a movie?

>> i saw, you see movie "peace and war." >> "war and peace." >> "war and peace." >> but richard gere is your good friend? >> yes. have you never seen one of his movies? >> no. >> is he irritated that you've never seen one of his movies? >> i don't know. i don't know. >> one final break. because i'm fascinated about how you lead your life. ♪

♪ ♪ [ male announcer ] you've been years in the making. and there are many years ahead. join the millions of members who've chosen an aarp medicare supplement insurance plan insured by unitedhealthcare insurance company. go long. scroll... tap... pinch... and zoom... in your car. introducing the all-new cadillac xts with cue. ♪ don't worry. we haven't forgotten, you still like things to push. [ engine revs ] the all-new cadillac xts has arrived,

and it's bringing the future forward. mcallen, texas. in here, heavy rental equipment in the middle of nowhere, is always headed somewhere. to give it a sense of direction, at&t created a mobile asset solution to protect and track everything. so every piece of equipment knows where it is, how it's doing or where it goes next. ♪ this is the bell on the cat. [ male announcer ] it's a network of possibilities -- helping you do what you do... even better. ♪

i tell mike what i can spend. i do my best to make that work. we're driving safely. and sue saved money on brakes. now that's personal pricing. i'm back again with the dalai lama. your holiness, you're on twitter. you have 4 million followers on twitter. that's twice as many as me. i'm not happy about that. you're twice as popular as me.

do you ever actually -- do you actually do the tweets? >> no, never. >> somebody does that for you? >> yes. >> they're very good. i have been reading them. >> my finger -- you see quite well equipped. most of the -- >> yeah. >> you also were an engineer. >> this was a computer -- these things, my finger not so good. >> do you ever use a computer? >> no. >> do you ever send an e-mail? >> no. >> have you ever used a cell phone? >> no -- occasionally. i might talk with someone like including bush. >> so if a president calls you'll use a cell phone? >> oh, yes. >> pretty exclusive club you have there. >> i felt, you see, when i talk, that should be here and i listen should be here then someone told me not necessary. so it's like that.

so like that. >> they warned me before that if you sit back in your chair like this, it means that you've lost interest in the interview. i've been very pleased that you spent most of the interview leaning forward. that means you must have enjoyed it. >> your sort of interview, not just because of the -- something, some discussion without feeling. since you are talking with certain feeling, then i love your accent. british accent. >> thank you, your holiness. i like your accent. let me ask you, finally, you have had an amazing life and long may it continue. what has been the greatest moment of your life? if i could replay one moment for

you, what would it be? >> i think initially immediately after my final examination, it was 1959. sort of happy. >> to become dalai lama? >> no, no, no, final examination about my degree for study. >> right, okay. >> and then, then perhaps the 17th or 18th morning, march '59. the 17th night i left, i escaped. and in 8:00 in the morning i already reached some distance, now free. chinese soldier. so tremendous sort of feeling of sort of -- firstly now no longer

immediate danger. still danger still there. then mainly freedom of speech. then when my mother and sister you see get out -- afternoon, 18th, then including my mother, now freely criticized about chinese. before that we sort of a little bit cautious. >> you were free at last. >> yes. >> you were free at last. >> i think -- at least that i think several i think thousand people should get some benefit. after sort of -- many vocation, some through writing or through personal meeting, a number of people expressed to me after hearing your thinking, their mind become

much more happier. >> well, i can tell you, your holiness, that i feel happier than i did one hour ago, and that is down to you. it's been a fascinating hour. thank you very much, indeed. i really appreciate it. >> thank you. so, you see, there's some -- and then religious harmony is concerned. i made some contribution. >> you did. you have. you have. >> when i reflect these things, then i feel a success. >> your holiness, thank you very much. it's been such a pleasure. >> thank you, thank you. >> thank you very much. not anymore. ink, the small business card from chase introduces jot an on-the-go expense app made exclusively for ink customers. custom categorize your expenses anywhere. save time and get back to what you love. the latest innovation. only for ink customers. learn more at chase.com/ink

the teacher that comes to mind for me is my high school math teacher, dr. gilmore. i mean he could teach. he was there for us, even if we needed him in college. you could call him, you had his phone number. he was just focused on making sure we were gonna be successful. he would never give up on any of us. ♪... ♪... ♪...

choose the perfect hotel wanted to provide better employee benefits while balancing the company's bottom line, their very first word was... [ to the tune of "lullaby and good night" ] ♪ af-lac ♪ aflac [ male announcer ] find out more at... [ duck ] aflac! [ male announcer ] ...forbusiness.com. [ yawning sound ]

tonight in america some inspiration from the remarkable man i just interviewed. americans spend $11 billion a year on self-help from books and yoga classes to retreats and botox and god knows what else. the dalai lama, however, provides a rather cheaper way of finding happiness, and here it is in the great man's own words. the seven-point guide to self-fulfillment. one, the practice of love can be expressed in one sentence -- do not harm others. two, the true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred. three, the point of our existence is as human beings we live purposeful, meaningful lives. four, for your spiritual development, the practice of patience is essential. five, we have the ability and the responsibility to choose whether our actions follow a