China Kicks As Dalai Lama Bags First Grammy Award At 90

The Dalai Lama, a Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader and Nobel laureate, has expressed gratitude after winning his first Grammy Award in the audiobook, narration, and storytelling category.

The 90-year-old religious figure, who has lived in exile in India for decades, was announced as the winner at early Monday’s Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles for his book “Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”

Reacting to the recognition, he said on social media: “I receive this recognition with gratitude and humility.” He added, “I don’t see it as something personal, but as a recognition of our shared universal responsibility.”

Widely respected across the globe for his long-standing advocacy for greater autonomy for Tibet — a region Beijing insists is an integral part of China — the Dalai Lama is an unlikely international celebrity, often seen in maroon robes, simple sandals and wide-rimmed spectacles.

Speaking further, he said: “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.”

‘Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’ features contributions from artists, including Rufus Wainwright, who accepted the award on the Dalai Lama’s behalf, and Maggie Rogers.

The spiritual leader fled the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, at the age of 23 in 1959 after Chinese troops crushed an uprising. He has lived in exile ever since and has never returned.

China continued to condemn the Dalai Lama, branding him a separatist, and opposed his Grammy win. Responding to the award, foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said: “We firmly oppose relevant parties using art awards as a tool for anti-China political manipulation, and this position is consistent and clear.”

A Nobel Peace Prize winner, the Dalai Lama has said he expects to live many more years, though Tibetans are increasingly preparing for an era without him. Tibetan Buddhists believe he is the 14th reincarnation of a spiritual lineage dating back to 1391.

China, which identifies as atheist and Communist, said last year that it must approve his eventual successor. The Dalai Lama, however, insisted that authority lies solely with his India-based office.