His Holiness Dalai Lama Earns First Ever Grammy Nomination for Spoken Word Album Celebrating Compassion and Peace
Buddhist spiritual leader and global icon of nonviolence, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, has achieved a historic milestone with his first ever Grammy nomination. His spoken word album Meditations The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been shortlisted for the Best Audio Book Narration and Storytelling Recording category at the 68th Grammy Awards, scheduled for February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles. The recognition marks a rare and profound moment in contemporary cultural history, placing the voice of a Buddhist monk known worldwide for his message of compassion, harmony and inner peace on one of the most prestigious musical stages in the world.
The album, created in collaboration with sarod virtuoso Amjad Ali Khan and his sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, presents the Dalai Lama’s reflections on universal human values. His gentle teachings on compassion, peace, emotional resilience and inner well being are woven together with original musical compositions that blend classical Indian traditions with global soundscapes. The project was produced by multi Grammy winning composer and author Kabir Sehgal, whose vision brought together a diverse group of international artists including Andra Day, Maggie Rogers, Tony Succar, Ted Nash, Debi Nova and Rufus Wainwright. Their contributions elevate the album into a cross cultural dialogue between spiritual wisdom and contemporary music.
The nomination is being celebrated as a significant cultural moment at a time when the world is grappling with intensifying conflicts, social divisions and widespread uncertainty. The Dalai Lama’s message centered on kindness, nonviolence and the interconnectedness of all people continues to resonate globally. The album’s Grammy recognition underscores the enduring relevance of his voice and the universal appeal of his teachings.
In a heartfelt message shared on Facebook, Amjad Ali Khan expressed his gratitude and joy at the nomination. He described the collaboration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama as deeply meaningful and spiritually enriching. According to him, the album was crafted as a listening experience that invites reflection, stillness and compassion, and he thanked the Dalai Lama for the profound privilege of participating in a project that aspires to uplift listeners across cultures and generations. He added that the team hopes the Grammy nomination will draw global attention to the timeless need for compassion in the world.
The Dalai Lama faces strong competition in the category from several prominent figures including Kathy Carver for Elvis Rocky and Me The Carol Connors Story, comedian and writer Trevor Noah for Into the Uncut Grass, United States Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson for her memoir Lovely One, and musician Fab Morvan for You Know It’s True The Real Story of Milli Vanilli. The diverse lineup reflects the expanding landscape of spoken word storytelling at the Grammy Awards.
Throughout his lifetime, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has received many of the worlds highest honors for his contributions to peace, humanitarian work and the promotion of universal values. These recognitions include the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, the 2006 United States Congressional Gold Medal, the 2012 Templeton Prize, the 2015 Liberty Medal, the 2019 Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award and the 2025 Gold Mercury Award for Peace and Sustainability. The Grammy nomination adds a unique dimension to this distinguished list, acknowledging not only his spiritual and humanitarian influence but also his growing role in global cultural conversations.
As anticipation builds ahead of the Grammy Awards, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s nomination stands as a reminder of the power of compassion, a message now carried through art, sound and story to audiences around the world.
