At the age of 90, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has earned his first-ever Grammy Award, marking a new milestone in his distinguished list of global honours.
The Tibetan spiritual leader won in the Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording category for his spoken-word album, Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The award was accepted on his behalf by musician Rufus Wainwright, who collaborated on the project. Meditations combine the Dalai Lama’s reflections on peace, compassion, mindfulness and humanity’s interconnectedness with musical elements influenced by Hindustani classical traditions.
In a statement shared by his office, the Dalai Lama said the recognition was not a personal triumph but “a recognition of shared universal responsibility.”
He added, “I receive this recognition with gratitude and humility. Peace, compassion, care for our environment, and understanding the oneness of humanity are essential for the collective well-being of all eight billion human beings. I hope this Grammy helps spread these messages more widely.”
The album’s nomination in late 2025 had already drawn global attention, highlighting the Dalai Lama’s work beyond spiritual and philosophical circles.
Although this is his first Grammy, he has previously been honoured with numerous prestigious awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his lifelong nonviolent struggle for Tibet and advocacy of peace and human values.
Other accolades include the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion in 2012, academic honours such as Doctor Honoris Causa degrees from institutions in the US, Italy and India, as well as the Liberty Medal in the US and the Syedna Qutbuddin Harmony Prize in India.
