The 14th Dalai Lama, spiritual leader and Nobel laureate, has made history 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 & Storytelling Recording category at the 68th Grammy Awards, to be held on February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles.
The project features the Dalai Lama’s calming reflections on compassion, peace and inner well-being, woven together with original music by sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan and his sons Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash. International artists including Andra Day, Maggie Rogers, Tony Succar, Ted Nash, Debi Nova, and Rufus Wainwright also contributed to the serene and uplifting soundscape. The album is produced by multi-Grammy winner Kabir Sehgal.
38 NME reports that the Dalai Lama — at the age of 90 — is among several first-time Grammy nominees this year, highlighting how his voice now reaches beyond spiritual circles into global music and storytelling.
Amjad Ali Khan reacted with heartfelt gratitude, calling the project “a labour of love” that brings together timeless wisdom and melody. He added that the nomination underscores the universal need for peace and compassion, a message that remains deeply resonant in today’s divided world.
This nomination marks more than an artistic achievement — it’s a symbolic moment, showcasing that spiritual teachings can find a home on one of the world’s biggest cultural stages.
