Dalai Lama Wins Grammy for ‘Meditations’ Audiobook

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

Grammy recognition and acceptance

The Grammy was announced on Sunday, with American singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright receiving the award on the Dalai Lama’s behalf. In a message shared on X, the Dalai Lama described the honour as collective rather than personal. He said the recognition reflected universal values such as peace, compassion, care for the environment, and the oneness of humanity, especially relevant to the well-being of over eight billion people worldwide.

About the audiobook ‘Meditations’

“Meditations” is an audiobook narrated in the Dalai Lama’s own voice, accompanied by gentle background music. The work is structured into thematic sections including “Heart”, “Oneness”, “Harmony”, “Kindness”, “Water”, “Mind”, “Health”, “Peace”, “Essence”, and “Journey”. Each segment reflects his philosophical worldview, with opening lines emphasising warm-heartedness as the foundation of inner peace.

Indian musical collaboration

The project features contributions from renowned Indian classical musicians. Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan is among the composers, along with Kabir Sehgal, Amaan Ali Bangash, and Ayaan Ali Bangash. Their involvement adds a cross-cultural musical layer to the spiritual narration, blending Indian classical traditions with contemplative storytelling.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Grammy Awards are presented by the Recording Academy of the United States.
• The Dalai Lama is the 14th spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism.
• Audiobooks compete under narration and storytelling categories at the Grammys.
• McLeod Ganj in Dharamshala is the headquarters of the Central Tibetan Administration.

Political reactions and wider impact

The Central Tibetan Administration termed the Grammy a profound honour for Tibetan society, though celebrations were subdued as the Dalai Lama was travelling in Karnataka. China, however, criticised the award, calling it political manipulation and reiterating its stance that the Dalai Lama is a political exile. Despite the controversy, the Grammy has amplified the global reach of his message of peace, ethics, and shared responsibility.