The Dalai Lama, Tibetan spiritual leader Tenzin Gyatso, has won his first Grammy Award at the age of 90 for his spoken-word album ‘Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’, marking a rare crossover between spiritual teachings and mainstream music recognition.
The beloved spiritual figure received the award for his spoken-word project, which focuses on reflections on compassion, inner peace and humanity. The honour adds a Grammy winner title to an already globally recognised life dedicated to spiritual leadership.
The award was recently presented to him by Indian classical music maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, making the moment a notable cultural exchange between spiritual and musical traditions. The album also features musical contributions from Khan and his sons.
A post shared on X from the Dalai Lama’s official account confirmed that he was formally presented with the Grammy at his residence in Dharamsala on June 3, 2026. The presentation was attended by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Bangash, Ayaan Ali Bangash and Kabir Gill Sehgal.
The spoken-word album blends his reflections with accompanying music, offering listeners messages centred on kindness and inner peace. The project was awarded in the Best Audio Book category.
The recognition has been described as unusual within the music industry, as the work does not follow traditional musical formats, instead focusing on spoken reflections and meditative themes.
The achievement highlights the Dalai Lama’s long-standing global influence as a spiritual leader, now extending into award-winning recorded media.
