Grammy for Dalai Lama makes China see red. Here's why

China reacts: 'He is a political exile committed to anti-Chinese separatist activity under the disguise of religion.'

China on Monday deplored the Grammy award given to the Dalai Lama, saying it "firmly opposes" the Tibetan spiritual leader using the recognition to carry out "anti-China activities".

IMAGE: The Dalai Lama is served food on his 90th birthday celebration at the Tsuglagkhang, also known as the Dalai Lama Temple complex, Dharamshala, July 6, 2025. Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters

Key Points

China has condemned the Grammy Award given to the Dalai Lama.
China claims the Dalai Lama is using the award to promote 'anti-China activities'.
China views the Dalai Lama as a political exile engaged in separatist activities under the guise of religion.
The Dalai Lama won a Grammy for his spoken-word album, 'Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama'.
The Dalai Lama stated he views the award as recognition of shared universal responsibility and an opportunity to spread messages of peace and compassion.

Dalai Lama's Grammy win

The Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, won his first Grammy on Sunday in the category of best audio book, narration, and storytelling recording for his spoken-word album, Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, at the 68th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

China's allegations

Asked for his reaction to the Dalai Lama winning the award, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian reiterated China's allegation that the 90-year-old octogenarian spiritual leader is carrying out separatist activity in the name of religion.

The Dalai Lama is not purely a religious person, Lin told a media briefing in Beijing.

"He is a political exile committed to anti-Chinese separatist activity under the disguise of religion," he said.

Beijing firmly opposes relevant sides using the award as a tool to carry out anti-China activities, he said.

Dalai Lama's history and recognition

The Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile in Dharamsala since he left Tibet in 1959, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his consistent, nonviolent struggle to liberate Tibet.

At the Grammys, he edged out other nominees, including Kathy Garver for Elvis Rocky & Me: The Carol Connors Story, Trevor Noah for Into The Uncut Grass, Ketanji Brown Jackson for Lovely One: A Memoir and Fab Morvan for You Know It's True: The Real Story of Milli Vanilli.

Dalai Lama's response

Reacting to the prestigious international recognition, the Dalai Lama expressed gratitude and humility, saying he did not view the award as a personal achievement.

"I receive this recognition with gratitude and humility. I don't see it as something personal, but as a recognition of our shared universal responsibility," the Dalai Lama said.

"I firmly believe that peace, compassion, care for our environment, and an understanding of the oneness of humanity are essential for the collective well-being of all eight billion human beings. I am grateful that this Grammy recognition can help spread these messages more widely," he said.