Dalai Lama Wins First Grammy for Meditation Album at 68th Awards

The 14th Dalai Lama has achieved a significant milestone by winning his first Grammy Award at the 68th annual Grammy Awards held on February 1, 2026. He received the award in the category of Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording for his spoken-word album, Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This recognition places him among several notable first-time Grammy winners this year, including filmmaker Steven Spielberg and the K-pop group Demon Hunters.

The Tibetan spiritual leader’s win surprised many at the music award ceremony, as he is primarily known for his teachings rather than musical contributions. His album features a blend of spiritual reflections and innovative collaborations influenced by Hindustani classical music. Recorded over several years, the tracks address themes such as mindfulness, harmony, health, and compassion.

At the ceremony, the Dalai Lama triumphed over a diverse group of nominees, including Fab Morvan of Milli Vanilli, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Grammy host Trevor Noah, and actress Kathy Garver. This Grammy marks his first win after previously being nominated in earlier years.

The album’s track titled Water includes the Dalai Lama’s poignant reflections on environmental change. In this recording, he remarks, “Within my lifetime in the Taktser area, winter on this mountain, annually more snow, then year by year, less and less.” He highlights the significance of preserving water as a critical natural resource, drawing from his experiences growing up in eastern Tibet.

Another impactful track, Peace, captures his thoughts on compassion, stating, “A compassionate mind is very happy. Usually people consider compassion [a] religious subject. No, compassion is for our own survival.” His insights resonate with listeners, emphasizing the universal need for empathy.

This year’s Grammy ceremony also saw Steven Spielberg making headlines by winning a Grammy in the Best Music Film category for the documentary Music by John Williams, which celebrates his long-time collaborator. With this achievement, Spielberg completed his EGOT status, having now won an Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and Oscar.

Additionally, the K-pop group Demon Hunters won Best Song Written for Visual Media for their track Golden, performed by the fictional girl group HUNTR/X, featuring vocals by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami. This award recognized the contributions of K-pop songwriters, marking a notable moment for the genre on the global stage.

The 68th Grammy Awards took place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, airing live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. In India, viewers could watch the ceremony on February 2, 2026, starting at 6:30 AM IST.

The Dalai Lama’s Grammy win illustrates the growing intersection of spirituality and popular culture, bringing his message of compassion and mindfulness to a broader audience through the medium of music and storytelling.