Kalapa Ikebana

Ikebana, the traditional Japanese Way of Arranging Flowers has its origins in Shinto, where arrangements were made as shrine offerings. Currently there are many schools of Ikebana. Kalapa Ikebana, initiated by Chögyam Trungpa, Rinpoche, is a contemplative practice.

By creating an environment which allows us to pay attention to our sense perceptions in a non-aggressive way, we are connecting with sacred world.
Training in joining heaven, earth and man is very explicit in Ikebana: one is dealing with space and form and the three main elements which can be put together in 8 different ways or variations. After rigorous training in these forms, one is then introduced to freestyle.

Whether doing an arrangement for a Level One Shambhala Training, a public talk given by a visiting teacher or for the Kalapa Court, it is always an offering. The Kalapa Ikebana students in Halifax continue to train with Watanabe Sensei, of Montreal, who has been teaching for over 40 years. For more information on Kalapa Ikebana contact Wendy Karr