Dalai Lama Wins Grammy at 90 for Audiobook on Compassion and Peace

A Rare Moment of Spiritual Recognition on a Global Stage

At the age of 90, Dalai Lama , the 14th spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, has won a Grammy Award , marking a rare convergence of spirituality and global popular culture. He received the award in the Best Audiobook, Narration and Storytelling Recording category for Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama , an audio work centred on compassion, peace, and shared human responsibility.

Grammy Announcement and Message to the World

The award was announced on Sunday by the Recording Academy . American singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright accepted the Grammy on the Dalai Lama’s behalf.

In a message shared on X, the Dalai Lama described the honour as collective rather than personal , stating that it symbolised universal values—peace, compassion, care for the environment, and the oneness of humanity. He underlined the relevance of these ideas for the well-being of more than eight billion people across the world.

About Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

The audiobook is narrated in the Dalai Lama’s own voice and accompanied by gentle, contemplative background music. It is structured into thematic chapters such as Heart , Oneness , Harmony , Kindness , Water , Mind , Health , Peace , Essence , and Journey .

Each section reflects his philosophical worldview, with recurring emphasis on warm-heartedness as the foundation of inner peace and ethical living in an interconnected world.

Indian Classical Music and Cross-Cultural Collaboration

The project features notable contributions from Indian classical musicians, adding a rich cultural dimension to the narration. Among the collaborators is sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan , along with composer Kabir Sehgal , and sarod exponents Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash .

Their involvement blends Indian classical traditions with spiritual storytelling, giving the audiobook a distinctive cross-cultural and meditative character.

Reactions and Broader Significance

The Central Tibetan Administration , headquartered in McLeod Ganj , described the Grammy as a profound honour for Tibetan society. Celebrations, however, remained muted as the Dalai Lama was travelling in Karnataka at the time.

China criticised the award, characterising it as political manipulation and reiterating its position that the Dalai Lama is a political exile. Despite the controversy, the Grammy has significantly amplified the global reach of his message on peace, ethics, and shared human responsibility.

Exam-Focused Key Points

• Grammy Awards are presented by the Recording Academy (USA)

• The Dalai Lama is the 14th spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism

• Meditations won in the Best Audiobook, Narration and Storytelling Recording category

• Indian classical musicians contributed to the audiobook’s music