Naropa University

Naropa University

Former names	Naropa Institute (1974–1999)
Type	Private university
Established	1974; 50 years ago (1974)
Founder	Chögyam Trungpa
Accreditation	HLC
Religious affiliation	Shambhala Buddhism
Endowment	$8.34 million (2019)[1]
President	Charles G. Lief
Academic staff	164
Undergraduates	402
Postgraduates	617
Location	Boulder , Colorado , United States
Campus	Midsize City, 12 acres (0.049 km2)
Colors	Heather Purple[2]
Nickname	Bodhi Cheetahs[2]
Website	www.naropa.edu

Part of a series on
Shambhala Buddhism
King of Shambhala
Core teachings and texts Shambhala Training Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior
Key figures Chögyam Trungpa Ösel Tendzin Sakyong Mipham
Organizations Vajradhatu (1973–1999) Naropa University (1974–) Shambhala International (2000–)
Main centers Dechen Chöling Drala Mountain Center Gampo Abbey Karmê Chöling
Related topics Great Stupa of Dharmakaya Kalapa Kings of Shambhala Miksang Pawo Shambhala Shenlha Okar
v t e

Naropa University is a private university in Boulder, Colorado. Founded in 1974 by Tibetan Buddhist teacher Chögyam Trungpa, it is named after the 11th-century Indian Buddhist sage Naropa, an abbot of Nalanda. The university describes itself as Buddhist-inspired, ecumenical, and nonsectarian rather than Buddhist. Naropa promotes non-traditional activities like meditation to supplement traditional learning approaches.

Naropa was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in 1988, making it the first Buddhist-inspired academic institution to receive United States regional accreditation. It remains one of only a handful of such schools. The university has hosted a number of Beat poets under the auspices of its Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics.