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DHARMA REALM BUDDHIST UNIVERSITY

Ukiah, CA

private nonprofit

Quick Facts

1976
Founded
Private nonprofit
Type
President: Susan A. Rounds

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About DHARMA REALM BUDDHIST UNIVERSITY

Dharma Realm Buddhist University: Integrating Eastern wisdom and Western classics in a unique monastic setting.

Dharma Realm Buddhist University (DRBU) offers a truly distinctive educational journey, blending rigorous academic inquiry with a contemplative, monastic environment. Established in 1976 by Venerable Master Hsuan Hua within the serene City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in Ukiah, California, DRBU is a private nonprofit institution that challenges conventional higher education models.

What sets DRBU apart is its innovative adaptation of the "Great Books" curriculum, uniquely incorporating foundational texts from both Eastern and Western traditions. This approach fosters a deep, holistic understanding of wisdom literature, encouraging students to engage profoundly with philosophical and spiritual questions that have shaped human civilization. The university's academic offerings currently focus on a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and a Master of Arts in Buddhist Classics, designed for those seeking profound intellectual and personal growth.

DRBU's commitment to academic excellence and its unique mission are underscored by its full accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), achieved in 2018. The university also boasts long-standing partnerships with prestigious institutions like the Pacific School of Religion and the Graduate Theological Union, enriching its academic landscape and providing broader scholarly connections for its community. For prospective students and families, DRBU represents an opportunity for an immersive, transformative education in an environment dedicated to wisdom, virtue, and intellectual exploration.

Key Highlights

  • Founded in 1976 by Venerable Master Hsuan Hua, located in the monastic City of Ten Thousand Buddhas.
  • Offers a unique "Great Books" model, integrating foundational texts from both Eastern and Western traditions.
  • Fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) since 2018.
  • Current programs include a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and a Master of Arts in Buddhist Classics.
  • Maintains long-standing academic partnerships with the Pacific School of Religion and the Graduate Theological Union.
  • A private nonprofit university, providing an education rooted in contemplative practice and scholarly inquiry.

Timeline

1976
Dharma Realm Buddhist University formally established; Institute of World Religions created.
1977
The very first class arrived at DRBU.
1984
Attained Approval to Operate as a California Degree-Granting Institution.
1986
Hosted the Conference on World Religions for the first time in California.
1997
Began its partnership with the Graduate Theological Union and Pacific School of Religion.
2013
Launched new BA in Liberal Arts and MA in Buddhist Classics programs; granted Eligibility for WSCUC Candidacy.
2018
Granted full accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
🏛️
50 Years
of Excellence

Leadership

Susan A. Rounds
President

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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