The Dalai Lama will release an album for his 85th birthday - here's the first track

The Dalai Lama will be venturing into the world of music and releasing his very first album for his 85th birthday on 6 July. 

According to Rolling Stone, the album, titled Inner World, includes 11 tracks that "mixes mantras and chants with newly composed music".

To give audiences a taste of what's to come, His Holiness has released a track called Compassion which is based on a well-known Buddhist prayer. 

Proceeds from the album will go towards Mind & Life Institute as well as Social, Emotional and Ethical Learning, NME reports. 

Junelle Kunin, a student of the Dalai Lama, spent five years bringing Inner World to life, the publication says. 

"Music has the potential to reach many more people with the message that the real source of happiness is warm-heartedness and a concern for others," the Dalai Lama is quoted in an Instagram post. 

Compiled by Nikita Coetzee (Sources: Rolling Stone, NME)