Dalai Lama Wins First Grammy at 90 for Spoken-Word Album

‘Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’ earns top honour with collaboration by sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan and his sons

Tibetan spiritual leader the 14th Dalai Lama has won his first-ever Grammy Award at the age of 90 for his spoken-word album Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The album won in the category of Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held in Los Angeles on February 1, 2026.

The album features a unique collaboration with renowned sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan and his sons, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash. Blending spoken-word narration with Indian classical music, the project highlights universal themes of peace, compassion, kindness, hope, and the oneness of humanity.

In the same category, the album triumphed over other notable nominations, including works by Trevor Noah, US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Kathy Garver, and Fab Morvan.

Reacting to the honour, the Dalai Lama said he accepted the award with “gratitude and humility,” adding that he viewed the recognition not as a personal achievement but as an affirmation of shared global responsibility. He emphasised that peace, compassion, environmental care, and an understanding of humanity’s interconnectedness are essential for the well-being of all people.

The award was accepted on his behalf by musician Rufus Wainwright during the ceremony.

An official from the Dalai Lama’s office said the album draws from key messages in his teachings and public talks, focusing on compassion, peace, environmental consciousness, and the sense of a shared human destiny.

Produced with the involvement of Glassnote Records, the album interweaves the Nobel Peace Prize laureate’s meditative reflections with Indian classical music and contributions from artists across diverse global traditions. The Dalai Lama joins other first-time Grammy winners this year, including acclaimed filmmaker Steven Spielberg.

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