Marcia Sibata practicing Kadö at the L.A. Shambhala Center. Photo by Anne Saitzyk.

Marcia Shibata brought the elegant vision of Kadö, the “Way of Flowers,” to the Los Angeles Shambhala center in two workshops in August. Shibata has studied Ikebana extensively in Japan and had received instruction from the Vidyadhara, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, on the contemplative aspect of flower arranging. It is a practice rich with an appreciation for the natural world. As Shibata explained to her students, even the word “Ikebana” reflects the Japanese school’s empathy with the life and death of flowers: it is derived from the words “Ikeru” - to keep alive - and “Hana” - flowers.

The “Way of Flowers” is a tradition that goes back thousands of years in Japan and China, but in recent times has evolved into more of a decorative art. Shibata’s vision is to return Kadö to a meditative practice of subject and object. Flower arrangements become a reflection of the mind of their creator. During practice, the room in which Ikebana is done becomes the kado-jo, or practice hall in which the Way of Flowers can be explored. The journey of creating the flower arrangement is as important as the final result. The ultimate outcome is an Ikebana that mirrors a harmonious and balanced world.

Ms. Shibata lives in Vermont but will return to Los Angeles in January of 2010 to conduct another series of workshops on the way of flowers.

And go to the L.A. Shambhala Center’s Flickr Page to look at the full array of photos by L.A.’s own Anne Saitzyk from the weekend!

*Blume

Click here to check out pictures from this year’s Shambhala Arts Festival.

There are also some videos on YouTube.

For more information on Shambhala Art go to http://www.shambhalaart.org

In January 2009 our film crew returned from six-weeks on location in Bodhgaya, India where we filmed interviews with His Holiness Karmapa, H.E. Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Ven. Thrangu Rinpoche, Ven. Mingyur Rinpoche, Lama Chodrak and several torma artists. We carefully documented monk and nun artists as they created many beautiful butter sculptures for the 26th Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya and captured some amazing footage for what will become the first torma documentary ever made.

Enjoy our updated website and forward this announcement to all of your friends.

Click here to view new video clips and photo galleries

www.tormafilm.com

Hello kind California Shambhala centers,

My parents helped found the Wisdom’s Goldenrod center in Ithaca, NY - I’m a Dharma Brat and feel very lucky to have been brought up with Tibetan Buddhism. I’m writing to you today because I thought you would find interest in a series of three films about the women of Tibet.

The first two films in the series are Women of Tibet: Gyalyum Chemo: The Great Mother and Women of Tibet: A Quiet Revolution. These unique one-hour documentaries explore stories of the Tibetan struggle for peace, freedom, justice and human rights and the dynamic power off women within the political, social, and spiritual realms. The first film, Women of Tibet: Gyalyum Chemo – The Great Mother, tells the compelling life story of Dekyi Tsering, the mother of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, also known as the Great Mother of Tibet. A fascinating exploration of the Great Mother archetype, the film has aired repeatedly on PBS stations nationwide since its television premiere in April 2006.
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SMCLA joyfully announces its 4th annual Shambhala Arts Festival – a manifestation and community celebration of Shambhala Art/Dharma Art principles based on the teachings of the Vidyadhara Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. The Festival will be held on Saturday June 13 and Sunday June 14, 2009 at the Shambhala Meditation Center of Los Angeles in Eagle Rock.

Procedure for Entry

Application deadline: May 15, 2009.

Any art form based on Shambhala Art/Dharma Art principles can be submitted for entry. Please send an email to smcla.artfest@gmail.com by May 10, 2009 that includes the following:
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