Dalai Lama wins Grammy for spoken word album, China fumes
dharamshala, Feb. 3 -- Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama was on Sunday awarded the Grammy in the Best Audio Book, Narration and Storytelling Recording category, an accolade the 90-year-old described as "a recognition of our shared universal responsibility".
The award was accepted on his behalf by musician Rufus Wainwright, who collaborated on the audiobook "Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama".
"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. I truly 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," the Dalai Lama said.
Beijing, which condemns the Dalai Lama as a rebel and separatist, opposed his Grammy win, calling his work "anti-China political manipulation". "We firmly oppose relevant parties using art awards as a tool for anti-China political manipulation, and this position is consistent and clear," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a regular press conference.
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 non-violent struggle to liberate Tibet.
The Tibetans, living in exile in India, however, termed the win a historic moment and said the award would further amplify the spiritual leader's message of peace, compassion and the oneness of humanity. They also say that it sends a clear message to China that the world continues to celebrate values of peace, compassion and the legacy of the Dalai Lama.
Tenzin Tsundue, a Tibetan writer and activist, said, "This Grammy recognises not just the tone and tenor of the 90-year Dalai Lama but pays tribute to the content of that voice that has become the universal inspiration for love and compassion. For the first time, the Grammy awards a voice that looks inwards and works outward for the wellbeing of humanity."
Dolma Tsering Teykhang, deputy speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, said, "This is a historic moment and a matter of great joy not only for the Tibetan people but for all of humanity."...
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