What is "naropa"

Naropa can refer to:

• Naropa, an 11th-century Indian Buddhist mystic.
• Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado; is named in Naropa's honour.

Nāropā ( Prakrit; or Naḍapāda) (probably died ca. 1040 CE) was an Indian Buddhist Mahasiddha. He was the disciple of Tilopa and brother, or some sources say partner and pupil, of Niguma. As an Indian Mahasiddha, Naropa's instructions inform Vajrayana, particularly his six yogas of Naropa relevant to the completion stage of anuttarayogatantra.

Although some accounts relate that Naropa was the personal teacher of Marpa Lotsawa, other accounts suggest that Marpa held Naropa's lineage through intermediary disciples only.