Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Feb. 3: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s historic win at the Grammy Awards has drawn widespread praise from political leaders in India and the Tibetan community in exile, even as Beijing strongly condemned the recognition, framing it as a politically motivated move against China.
The Tibetan spiritual leader won the Grammy Award for Best Audiobook Narration for Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Sunday, marking a rare moment of global recognition for a spiritual leader’s spoken-word work rooted in compassion, mindfulness, and universal responsibility.
Among the first to extend congratulations was Prem Singh Tamang, Chief Minister of Sikkim, who took to social media to convey his heartfelt message. “With deep reverence and joy, I offer heartiest congratulations to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on receiving the Grammy Award for Best Audiobook Narration for Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This recognition honours a lifetime devoted to awakening compassion, wisdom, and universal responsibility. Through his gentle voice and timeless teachings, countless beings are guided toward inner peace and a deeper remembrance of our shared interconnectedness. May these meditations continue to plant seeds of kindness, heal suffering, and illuminate the path toward a more compassionate world,” Tamang wrote.
Adding to the chorus of congratulatory messages, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, State President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala, also extended his congratulations to the Tibetan spiritual leader. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), he said: “Congratulations to His Holiness the 14th @DalaiLama on winning his first Grammy for the audiobook Meditations. I have been privileged to know His Holiness for many years and to work closely with him in support of the Tibetan cause in India. His message of peace, compassion, and mindfulness is exactly what the world needs today.”
In Dharamshala, the exile Tibetan government, officially known as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), also welcomed the honour. The incumbent President of the CTA, Penpa Tsering, speaking on behalf of the administration and the Tibetan people, said the award amplified the Dalai Lama’s enduring message to humanity. “I speak with deep reverence and profound joy, on behalf of the Central Tibetan Administration and the Tibetan people, in congratulating His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama on winning the Grammy Award for Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This honour is yet another occasion to amplify His Holiness’s timeless message of peace and the oneness of humanity. May the teachings of His Holiness continue to remind us all of our shared responsibility toward one another and the world,” the statement read on X (formerly Twitter).
The Deputy Speaker of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Dolma Tsering Teykhang, also highlighted the broader significance of the award, describing it as a moment of collective joy extending beyond the Tibetan community. “I think this is historic. It’s a matter of great joy, not only for the Tibetan people but for the whole of humanity, because His Holiness’s message of love, compassion, and empathy is the urgent need of the hour—so hearty congratulations on winning the Grammy Award, Your Holiness. Your message has cut across cultures and religions, and the world needs love, compassion, and understanding. I hope that millions of hearts will choose love, compassion, and understanding, and live in peace with each other,” she said while speaking to ANI.
While the Grammy win was celebrated across parts of India and the Tibetan exile community, the Chinese government reacted sharply, reiterating its long-standing stance on the Dalai Lama. At a press briefing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian dismissed the spiritual leader’s global recognition, stating, “He is a political exile committed to anti-Chinese separatist activity under the disguise of religion.”
Lin further characterised the Dalai Lama as someone engaged in what Beijing describes as separatist activities, rather than a purely religious figure, and criticised the use of the Grammy platform. “We firmly oppose the relevant party using the award as a tool for anti-China political manipulation, and this position is consistent and clear,” he added.
