The bespectacled, red-robed 90 year-old spiritual leader of a six-million strong community of Tibetan Buddhists — otherwise known as the Dalai Lama — has won his first Grammy.

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Rufus Wainwright, the Canadian singer-songwriter who contributed to the album, collected the award on the Dalai Lama’s behalf.

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“I don’t see it as something personal, but as a recognition of our shared universal responsibility,” the spiritual leader posted to his 16.7 million followers on X. “I receive this recognition with gratitude and humility,” he added.

Born Tenzin Gyatso in Tibet in 1935, the Dalai Lama has long been associated with Tibet’s struggle for autonomy from Chinese occupation. China, which has occupied Tibet since 1951 and governs the plateau as an autonomous region, has been accused of attempting to erase the Tibetan language, culture and identity.

Beijing was quick to criticise the decision, calling the award “a tool for anti-China political manipulation”.

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“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” said Lin Jian, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, on Monday.

In India, members of the 150,000-strong Tibetan exile community are celebrating. “It was good news for us — obviously it was great news,” said Sonam Topgyal, a Tibetan living in Dharamshala. “Such recognition still matters. Every recognition on the international stage brings attention to the Tibetan people”.

“We are all overjoyed,” said Tenzin Lekshay, a spokesman for the Tibetan government-in-exile.

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The award — and China’s response — should both be seen against the backdrop of a succession struggle in Tibetan Buddhism, which was thrown into the limelight in July last year, when the Dalai Lama celebrated his 90th birthday.

Amid the celebrations, the Dalai Lama announced his decision to ignore Beijing’s demands for control over the succession process — the appointment of a new spiritual leader for all Tibetan Buddhists living inside and outside Tibet, after his death. Beijing’s response was swift and condemnatory.

Beijing maintains the next Dalai Lama will be born in Tibet and recognised by the Chinese Communist Party, while the Dalai Lama has asserted his successor will be born elsewhere.

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