Dharma Realm Buddhist University

Dharma Realm Buddhist University is a private, non-profit, coeducational university located in Ukiah, California, at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. It is a unique institution of higher education dedicated to the liberal arts and Buddhist studies, rooted in the Great Books tradition. The university operates with a mission to provide an education that emphasizes the development of wisdom and virtue through the study of primary texts from both Western and Eastern traditions. DRRU fosters a contemplative environment, encouraging students to integrate academic inquiry with personal practice and self-reflection.

The university was founded in 1976 by Venerable Master Hsuan Hua, a pioneer in bringing Chinese Buddhism to the United States. It was established as one of the first Buddhist universities in the West, aimed at providing a space where the spiritual and the academic could coexist. Originally focused on training monastics and translators, the institution evolved over decades to become a fully accredited liberal arts university. A major turning point occurred in 2013 when the university launched its redesigned Liberal Arts program, modeled on a seminar-based approach to the world’s great classics. This evolution reflects its enduring commitment to creating a bridge between ancient wisdom and contemporary society.

Dharma Realm Buddhist University stands as a singular institution that offers a deeply integrated, cross-cultural education. By prioritizing the study of primary texts and the cultivation of the "whole person," the university prepares its graduates to be thoughtful, compassionate, and ethically grounded individuals. Its history as a pioneer of Western Buddhism and its commitment to a contemplative, seminar-based curriculum ensure that it remains a premier destination for those seeking an education that challenges both the intellect and the heart.