Dalai Lama Wins First-Ever Grammy for Meditations Album, Highlighting Universal Values of Peace and Compassion

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In a historic milestone, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has won his first-ever Grammy Award in the 68th Annual Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles on February 1, 2026. The Tibetan spiritual leader took home the award for Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording for his spoken-word album, 'Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.' The album, a collaborative effort with sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan and his sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, blends spoken word and music to celebrate universal values of peace, compassion, kindness, and hope. The Dalai Lama's message of unity and collective well-being resonates through the album, which features his meditative reflections interwoven with Indian classical music and contributions from global artists. The Dalai Lama, who was recognized alongside other first-time winners, including filmmaker Steven Spielberg, expressed his gratitude and humility for the award. 'I receive this recognition with gratitude and humility. I don’t see it as something personal, but as a recognition of our shared universal responsibility,' he said. Rufus Wainwright accepted the award on the Dalai Lama's behalf during the ceremony. The album's producers, including Glassnote Records, aimed to create a project that carries the Dalai Lama's message of peace and hope in a new way. The collaboration with global artists from diverse traditions has helped spread the Dalai Lama's key messages on compassion, peace, and the oneness of humanity. The Dalai Lama's win serves as a testament to the impact of his teachings and the universal appeal of his message. As he stated, 'I truly believe that peace, compassion, care for our environment, and an understanding of the oneness of humanity are essential for the collective well-being of all eight billion human beings.'