Dalai Lama Honored with Grammy Award at Age 90

Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been awarded a Grammy at the age of 90 for spreading messages of peace and compassion through storytelling. His album “Meditations: Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama” blends his teachings with music to reach audiences across the world.

The music for the album has been composed and performed by renowned sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and his sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash. The project brings together spiritual wisdom and classical music to create a deeply reflective experience.

The Grammy Awards ceremony, known for its dazzling stage and celebration of modern music and film, became especially significant this year with the recognition of the world-renowned spiritual leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The 14th Dalai Lama won his first-ever Grammy Award in the category of Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording.

By winning his first Grammy at the age of 90, the Dalai Lama has created history. The album connects his teachings with music by celebrated artists, aiming to spread the universal values of peace, compassion, and mindfulness to a global audience. He is widely respected as a Buddhist leader who has reshaped spiritual thought in the 21st century with a modern and compassionate outlook.

Responding to the honor, the Dalai Lama said he views the award as a “recognition of our shared global responsibility.” The 90-year-old spiritual leader, who lives in exile in Dharamshala, India, was declared the winner on Monday at the Grammy ceremony in Los Angeles. His award was accepted on his behalf by artist Rufus Wainwright, who also features in the audiobook.

The Dalai Lama is globally admired for his non-violent campaign seeking greater autonomy for Tibet, which China considers an integral part of its territory. At the age of 23, in 1959, he fled the Tibetan capital Lhasa to India to escape Chinese forces and has never returned. Tibetan Buddhists believe him to be the 14th reincarnation of the spiritual leader.

The album features teachings and reflections on peace, self-awareness, environmental responsibility, and compassion. It includes contributions from international artists such as Rufus Wainwright, Maggie Rogers, and Andra Day. The project was produced by Grammy-winning producer Kabir Sehgal. Honoring the Dalai Lama with this award is widely seen as a tribute to open voices and a more peaceful future.