Naropa University facts for kids
 |
|
|
Former names
|
Naropa Institute (1974–1999) |
|---|---|
| Type | Private university |
| Established | 1974 |
| Founder | Chögyam Trungpa |
| Accreditation | HLC |
|
Religious affiliation
|
Shambhala Buddhism |
| Endowment | $8.34 million (2019) |
| President | Charles G. Lief |
|
Academic staff
|
164 |
| Undergraduates | 402 |
| Postgraduates | 617 |
| Location |
,
Colorado
,
United States
|
| Campus | Midsize City, 12 acres (0.049 km2) |
| Colors | Heather Purple |
| Nickname | Bodhi Cheetahs |
Naropa University is a private school in Boulder, Colorado, United States. It was started in 1974 by a Buddhist teacher named Chögyam Trungpa. The school is named after Naropa, a wise Buddhist teacher from the 11th century. Naropa says it's inspired by Buddhist ideas, but it welcomes people from all backgrounds and beliefs. It encourages unique ways of learning, like meditation, along with regular classes.
In 1988, Naropa became the first Buddhist-inspired school in the U.S. to get a special approval called "regional accreditation." This means its degrees are recognized like those from other universities. The school has also welcomed famous writers, especially "Beat poets," through its Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics.
Contents
The Story of Naropa University
How Naropa Began
Naropa University was founded by Chögyam Trungpa. He was a Tibetan Buddhist teacher who came to the U.S. in 1970. In 1974, he started Naropa Institute. At first, Naropa was closely connected to another group Trungpa started, called Vajradhatu. Over time, they became more separate.
Trungpa invited famous poets like Allen Ginsberg and Anne Waldman to help start a poetry department. They created the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics. This school became a special place for creative writing.
Early Programs and Growth
Naropa started offering its first official degrees in 1975–76. Students could study Buddhist topics or visual art. They could also get master's degrees in psychology or expressive arts. The psychology program was unique. It taught students about the mind and body using special meditation practices.
In 1977, Naropa decided to seek official accreditation. This was a big step to make sure its degrees were recognized. After many years of reviews, Naropa Institute received its accreditation in 1988. This was a major achievement for a Buddhist-inspired school. In the mid-1980s, Naropa became more independent from Vajradhatu. This separation became even stronger after Trungpa passed away in 1987.
Later, new leaders took over the university. They continued to guide Naropa's growth.
Modern Research and Campus Changes
Naropa began doing research on how the body and mind work together. From 2012 to 2014, they used equipment to study things like heart rate. Later, in 2016–2017, they started using EEG to look at brainwave patterns. This research helps them understand how meditation affects the brain.
In August 2024, Naropa announced a big change. They decided to sell their main campus, called "Arapahoe." The school will keep its "Nalanda" campus. This change happened because many students and staff now learn and work online. The university is finding new ways to be a community in a changing world.
Naropa's Special Way of Learning
What is Contemplative Education?
Naropa teaches something called "contemplative education." This means learning through practices that help you focus and be present. These activities include things like:
- Meditation
- The Japanese tea ceremony
- Taijiquan (a Chinese martial art)
- Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging)
These practices help students become more aware and insightful. They learn to be calm and focused. This "inner work" helps prepare them to do good things in the world.
Openness to Different Traditions
Naropa is inspired by Buddhist ideas, but it is "nonsectarian." This means it is open to many different spiritual traditions. It's like being open to many different types of music, not just one. Naropa believes that practices from various world religions can help people learn and grow. They focus on being precise, gentle, and spontaneous in their learning.
Naropa has worked to be independent from its founding religious group, Shambhala International. However, it still keeps spiritual practices as an important part of university life. This makes Naropa unique among schools.
Famous People Who Studied at Naropa
Many talented people have studied at Naropa University. Here are a few of them:
- Gregory Alan Isakov
- Brenda Coultas
- Bunky Echo-Hawk
- Justine Frischmann
- Tim Z. Hernandez
- Lesléa Newman
- Jonathan Siegrist
- Cedar Sigo
- Eleni Sikelianos
- Brad Will
See also
In Spanish: Universidad Naropa para niños
- Buddhist universities and colleges in the United States
