The 90-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has secured his first Grammy Award, an honour that has been swiftly dismissed by Chinese authorities as a political manipulation tool. The award was presented for his album Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, which won in the Best Audio Book, Narration and Storytelling Recording category at the 68th Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.
China's Strong Rejection of the Award
China's foreign ministry issued a statement condemning the Grammy win, reiterating their long-standing position that the Dalai Lama is a political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities. The ministry described the award as nothing more than a tool for political manipulation, reflecting Beijing's firm stance on Tibetan issues.
Dalai Lama's Response and Message of Peace
In response to winning the award, the Dalai Lama expressed profound gratitude, stating that he views this recognition as a shared universal responsibility to promote peace, compassion, and environmental understanding. His message emphasised the importance of global harmony and spiritual values.
Musician Rufus Wainwright accepted the Grammy on behalf of the Dalai Lama, acknowledging the profound wisdom central to the project. Wainwright highlighted the album's role in spreading messages of mindfulness and global unity.
US Lawmakers' Controversial Meeting in India
The Grammy announcement coincided with a visit by US lawmakers to meet the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, India, which has sparked significant anger from China. This diplomatic move has further strained relations between Washington and Beijing, with China viewing such engagements as interference in its internal affairs.
The combination of the Grammy win and the political meeting has intensified tensions, underscoring the ongoing geopolitical complexities surrounding Tibet and the Dalai Lama's international profile.
