In a historic first, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was honored with his first Grammy Award, which he received for his narration of the audio book Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the 68th Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles on Sunday. In response to the recognition, given in the Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording category, His Holiness said he accepted the award with “gratitude and humility.”
The Dalai Lama’s award was collected on his behalf by Canadian musician Rufus Wainwright, who was among a roster of artists also featuring in Meditations. The collaboration includes contributions from artists such as American soul singer Andra Day, American jazz saxophonist and flutist Ted Nash, Costa Rican singer Debi Nova, American singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers, and Peruvian American percussionist Tony Succar.
“I receive this recognition with gratitude and humility,” His Holiness said in a public statement in response to the award. “I don’t see this as something personal, but as a recognition of our shared universal responsibility.” (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)
Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, produced by multi-Grammy Award-winning producer Kabir Sehgal, features recordings of the Dalai Lama sharing his views on peace, compassion, mindfulness, inner well-being, and universal responsibility, interwoven with an original score composed by Indian classical musician Amjad Ali Khan and his sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash.
The audio book explores a variety of themes. In a track titled “Water,” the Dalai Lama reflects on the environmental changes he has witnessed. “Peace,” meanwhile, focuses on compassion, which His Holiness describes as essential for spiritual growth and for human survival.
“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,” the Dalai Lama said in his message after the award. “I’m grateful that this Grammy recognition can help spread these messages more widely.” (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)
Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama was released in August 2025, a month after His Holiness’s 90th birthday. Meditations was nominated alongside comedian Trevor Noah for Into The Uncut Grass, and US Supreme Court justice Ketanji Brown Jackson for Lovely One: A Memoir, among others.
While accepting the Grammy Award on behalf of the Dalai Lama on Sunday, Rufus Wainwright observed dryly: “OK, I am not the Dalai Lama, obviously.”
“It was a privilege to participate in this project,” Wainwright continued. “It’s an honor to accept this recognition on behalf of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, whose wisdom is at the heart of this work. In his words: ‘The most precious human quality is warm-heartedness and caring for one another.’” (YouTube)
See more
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Receives Grammy Recognition Highlighting Universal Responsibility and Compassion (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)
Dalai Lama wins first Grammy for spoken-word album on compassion and peace (Phayul)
Dalai Lama Wins Best Audiobook, Narration & Storytelling Recording | 2026 Grammys (YouTube)
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