DHARMA REALM BUDDHIST UNIVERSITY

What is the history of DHARMA REALM BUDDHIST UNIVERSITY?

Dharma Realm Buddhist University (DRBU) was founded in 1976 by the Buddhist teacher Venerable Master Hsuan Hua. Its history is closely tied to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, the Buddhist community near Ukiah where the university is located.

The university developed around an educational approach that brings Buddhist texts and practices into conversation with other intellectual traditions. Its small scale and emphasis on close reading remain central to its identity. Prospective students should distinguish DRBU from the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas: they share a setting and religious history, but the university has its own academic programs and admissions process.

What are the faculties and departments at DHARMA REALM BUDDHIST UNIVERSITY?

DRBU is a small, specialized university rather than an institution divided into numerous colleges or professional schools. Its principal degree offerings are a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and a Master of Arts in Buddhist Classics.

The liberal arts program uses sustained reading and discussion across disciplines, while the graduate program focuses on Buddhist texts and related interpretive traditions. This structure may appeal to students seeking an integrated curriculum, but it offers a narrower choice of majors than a comprehensive university. Applicants with a specific occupational goal should compare the current catalog's course requirements with any prerequisites for graduate study, certification, or employment in that field.

What is the location of DHARMA REALM BUDDHIST UNIVERSITY?

DRBU is located at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas near Ukiah, California, in Mendocino County. The setting is outside a major metropolitan area and is closely connected to the university's residential and contemplative character.

Ukiah provides access to everyday services, but students should not assume they can rely on the transportation options typical of an urban campus. Before enrolling, especially without a car, it is worth checking how students travel between campus, Ukiah, and regional transportation connections. The campus's location also matters when evaluating off-campus work and housing options.

What is the mission and vision of DHARMA REALM BUDDHIST UNIVERSITY?

DRBU describes its educational purpose in terms of developing understanding, ethical awareness, and the capacity for careful inquiry. Its Buddhist affiliation shapes the institution's intellectual setting, although applicants should assess the actual curriculum and community expectations rather than assume that every course is religious instruction.

The university's teaching model emphasizes reading primary texts, discussion, and reflection. Those are statements of educational purpose, not independently established measures of student outcomes. A prospective student's key question is whether that approach - and the campus's connection to a Buddhist community - fits the way they want to study and live.