FEB 2, 2025 (Agency): The exiled spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, the 14th Dalai Lama, has won a Grammy Award for Best Audiobook, Narration and Storytelling Recording. The winners of the most prestigious honours in the US music industry were announced at a ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday.
The spiritual leader had earlier made his maiden three-day visit to Imphal, Manipur, in October 2017. During the visit, he addressed the International Peace Conference, urging inner peace, harmony, and respect among all religions to promote human well-being.
In the audiobook titled “Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” he speaks on 10 themes, including harmony and peace, in English, accompanied by background music.
The 14th Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 after China suppressed an uprising in Tibet. Speaking at his 90th birthday celebration last year, he said his successor would be chosen based on Tibetan tradition, without any outside interference.
In a statement after his win, the Dalai Lama said he believes that “peace, compassion, care for our environment, and an understanding of the oneness of humanity are essential” for everyone. He said he is grateful that the Grammy recognition can help spread that message.
Among the major categories, the Record of the Year award went to “Luther” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA, while Bad Bunny’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” was named Album of the Year.
China Reacts Sharply to Dalai Lama’s Grammy Win
China has reacted sharply to the 14th Dalai Lama winning a Grammy Award. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian called him a political exile who engages in anti-China separatist activities under the disguise of religion.
Lin said Beijing firmly opposes art awards being used as a tool for anti-China political manipulation.
