‘Not a religious person’: China firmly opposes Grammy award to Dalai Lama

China on Monday criticised the Grammy Award conferred on the Dalai Lama, stating that it “firmly opposes” the Tibetan spiritual leader using the international recognition to carry out what it described as “anti-China activities.”

The reaction came after the Dalai Lama (also known as Tenzin Gyatso) won his first Grammy Award in the Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording category for his spoken-word album Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the 68th Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles.




Responding to a question on the award, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian reiterated Beijing’s long-standing position on the Tibetan leader, alleging that he engages in separatist activities under the guise of religion.

“The Dalai Lama is not purely a religious person,” Lin told a media briefing. “He is a political exile committed to anti-Chinese separatist activity under the disguise of religion.”

Lin added that Beijing “firmly opposes relevant sides using the award as a tool to carry out anti-China activities.”

The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in Dharamsala, India, since fleeing Tibet in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his consistent, non-violent struggle for the freedom of Tibet, as described by the Nobel Committee.

At the Grammys, the 90-year-old spiritual leader 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.

Reacting to the award, the Dalai Lama struck a reflective and understated tone, saying that he did not see the honour as a personal achievement.



“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 added.

China considers the Dalai Lama a separatist and has repeatedly objected to foreign governments, institutions and platforms engaging with him, while the Tibetan leader maintains that he seeks genuine autonomy for Tibet and not independence.