China has downplayed the Grammy Award won by religious figure the Dalai Lama.
The 90-year-old leader won the award in the Best Audio Book, Narration and Storytelling Recording category for his album titled “Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama”, during the 68th Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday.
It was the first for the reverved Monk for an album which revolves around 10 themes, including harmony, kindness and peace, accompanied by background music.
The honour was dismissed by the Chinese authorities as a “tool for political manipulation”.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian dismissed the Dalai Lama’s Grammy win. “It is well known that the 14th Dalai Lama is not merely a religious figure but a political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the guise of religion.”
“We firmly oppose the relevant party using the award as a tool for anti-China political manipulation,” he added.
The Tibetan spiritual leader, who lives in exile in India, recorded the spoken-word album, which combines his reflections with musical compositions featuring contributions from several artists.
“It was a privilege to participate in this project. It’s an honour to accept this recognition on behalf of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, whose wisdom is at the heart of this work.”
The album also includes collaborations with artists such as Maggie Rogers and incorporates elements influenced by Indian classical music.
Born Tenzin Gyatso, the Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 at the age of 23 after Chinese forces crushed an uprising in Lhasa. He has lived in exile in India since then and has never returned to Tibet.
The Dalai Lama has repeatedly said his successor will be born outside China and urged followers to reject any candidate appointed by Beijing. With Independent UK reports
Dalai Lama...Grammy Awards win opposed by China.