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At the 68th Grammy Awards 2026, the XIVth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, received his first Grammy. Unlike traditional music awards, the prize was not awarded for a song or album, but for the audio book Meditations: the reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, available on all major music platforms.
The Tibetan's prize won over contenders of the calibre of US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and comedian Trevor Noah.
In a message written from his monastery in India, the spiritual leader emphasized the collective significance of the award:
"I welcome this distinction with gratitude and humility. I see it not as something personal, but as a recognition of our shared universal responsibility."
The Dalai Lama went on to explain the importance of spreading values such as peace, compassion, environmental protection and the unity of mankind, emphasizing how this award can help raise awareness regarding these principles.
Tenzin Gyatso has lived in exile in India since 1959, after the Chinese People's Liberation Army suppressed the Tibetan uprising against Mao Zedong's regime. The Tibetan spiritual leader is regarded not only as a religious leader, but also as a central figure in the struggle for Tibetan autonomy, with a worldwide following of devotees and human rights activists.
The decision to reward the Dalai Lama did not go unnoticed in Beijing. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian called the Grammy award a tool of "anti-Chinese political manipulation". According to Beijing, the Dalai Lama is not only a religious leader, but also a political exile engaged in separatist activities. Tensions are also running high over the question of the future Dalai Lama's reincarnation, with China defending a successor recognized by the Communist Party, while the Dalai Lama wants him to be born in a free country, free from political interference.
(©GreenMe.it 2026 / Managing Editor: Selma Keshkire - The Press Junction / Picture: Unsplash)