Milestones Icon: Naropa University

Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche came to the United States to spread his Buddhist teachings.

When he arrived in Boulder, he altered the city’s educational landscape.

Trungpa started Naropa University (at that time Naropa Institute) in 1974. His vision was to create a university that would combine contemplative studies with traditional Western scholastic and artistic disciplines. In 1986, Naropa was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, making it the first Buddhist, or Buddhist-inspired, academic institution to receive U.S. regional accreditation.

The university is known for its “first summer sessions,” when more than 1,300 students came to Boulder to learn from famous…