The DRBU Arts Initiative brought together work by international artists and community members for several shows open through May. DRBU is also displaying the works of renowned Tang-dynasty monk Master Guanxiu, last exhibited in 2018. For more information, contact arts@drbu.edu. The post DRBU Hosts Four Art Exhibitions This Spring appeared first on Dharma Realm Buddhist University ..read more

What are you currently up to? I’m currently working at DRBU in recruiting and admissions and also developing and serving as director for a new contemplative philosophy summer program for high school students. My recruiting and admissions work consists primarily of connecting with prospective students, helping them decide whether DRBU is the right school for them, and supporting them through the admissions and enrollment process from the moment they learn about us until the moment they arrive on campus. Outside of work, I spend my time reading, painting, and exploring the Bay Area on bike and o ..read more

During her weekly translation practice with fellow students at the International Institute of Translation of Buddhist Texts last year, Christine Wee translated a passage from the Zhuangzi, using Edgar Allan Poe’s poetic style.   昔者莊周夢為胡蝶，栩栩然胡蝶也，自喻適志與！不知周也。俄然覺，則蘧蘧然周也。不知周之夢為胡蝶與，胡蝶之夢為周與？周與胡蝶，則必有分矣。此之謂物化。   Zhuang Zhou was happily being- A butterfly when he was dreaming He didn’t know- That he was Zhuang Zhou Then, he woke up, startled to find- It was him in his mind “Did I just dream as a butterfly? Oh Gee- Or did a butterfly dream it was me?” Zhuang Zhou and a butterfly- Are two distin ..read more

In 2023, we celebrated the third anniversary of the International Institute for the Translation of Buddhist Texts (IITBT)’s new English translation of the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Sūtra. This milestone marks a significant achievement in making the profound teachings of the Buddha accessible to a wider audience. In honor of this occasion, we are thrilled to announce the development of an audiobook version of our esteemed publication, allowing us to share these timeless teachings with an even broader audience. This audiobook project has been a collaborative effort, involving the dedication and tal ..read more

This month we are considering the rather elusive term wuxiang 無相, which in translations from Sanskrit typically reflects alakṣaṇa, animitta, or nirnimitta. This is a rich term that brings up many interesting issues involved in Buddhist translation. The term is intrinsically elusive: pointing to the very inadequacy of our minds and of language to represent the world accurately, it refers to a realm of experience that is beyond most of us. It is, needless to say, not a common topic of discussion in modern Anglophone culture. Some standard translations include “marklessness” or “signlessness.” T ..read more

In August 2023 I had the chance to participate in DRBU’s summer translation seminar, making up a small Norwegian team with a friend from Norway. Jetlagged and a bit dizzy, we stepped into the peaceful and friendly atmosphere at the Sudhana Center’s courtyard. In our bags we had a draft translation of the first half of the Vimalakirti Sūtra and a long list of questions. Many Norwegians are fluent in English, so the need for translations of Buddhist texts is not as urgent in Norway as in some other countries. Still, reading sūtras in your mother tongue makes the Dharma come a lot closer. Also, t ..read more

The following is an excerpt from “Freedom Simplified.” Access the full booklet here. Karma Defined The word karma refers to our entire structure of thoughts, ideas, and emotions. At each and every moment in our lives, karma forms the basis of our judgment, interpretations, and intentions. It is constantly changing, transforming, and evolving based on the experiences with which our senses come in contact. Our intentions represent the karmic pattern of our past. It is an incredible, yet predictable, machine that governs our behavior next month, tomorrow, or even the very next moment. It is ..read more

Ukiah, CA – April 11, 2024 — Dharma Realm Buddhist University (DRBU) is pleased to announce that it has been granted an eight-year academic accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) after a comprehensive review. DRBU was first granted accreditation in 2018, and this eight-year renewal marks a significant milestone in the growth and maturity of the university. DRBU offers undergraduate, masters and certificate programs and is the only accredited four-year institution in Mendocino County. The WSCUC team visited DRBU in October to conduct a three-day review. The r ..read more

Every Friday evening at DRBU, Sudhana Center buzzes with the irresistible scent of handmade pizzas. To the uninitiated it might sound like any typical pizza night gathering. But for those of us entrenched in the daily grind of DRBU life, it’s nothing short of a weekly celebration. It’s a collective exhale after cruising the rollercoaster of happy and not-so-happy moments, successful and not-so-successful classes, and the seesaw of work-study commitments. Sudhana Center transforms every Friday into a party-festive haven. And here I am, not as a partygoer, but as a humble kitchen warrior on Frid ..read more

We are excited to announce some incredible news: your generosity has allowed the Woo Education Foundation Matching Campaign, in the period from January 1 to February 25 of this year, to meet the goal of $100,000. Because of this, the Woo Education Foundation has matched it with an additional $100,000! This milestone would not have been possible without selfless support from donors like you. Your kindness and generosity have touched the lives of all of us here at Dharma Realm Buddhist University. Your belief in our mission has propelled us forward and moved us one step closer to realizing our v ..read more