Kado - Ikebana
5 - Day Retreat 2026
What is Kado Ikebana?
The practice of Kado, or the "Way of Flowers” originated in China over 3,000 years ago. “Flowers”in this case is a metaphor for all sentient beings as all life-forms big and small come into being with innate universal wisdom.
Meditation in Action
The ultimate goal of Kado-Ikebana is not to make pleasant flower arrangements, but to expand our heart/mind to be in each moment fully, finding clarity with life’s confusion and obstacles, and develop a deep appreciation for the living world, self, other, and all of life.
Heaven-Earth-Humanity
Students will learn and work with the ancient Taoist principle and the natural hierarchy of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity, which is the organic beginning, middle, and end of all activity on earth and in the universe.
The Heaven-Earth-Humanity principle can be witnessed in any natural environment or being, untouched or not manipulated by the hands or minds of humans.
By understanding and following the natural unfolding of all nature, be it flower arranging, yourself, or any sentient being, life and “art" can become genuine and joyful.
Meditation
Meditation practice is the ground of Kado Ikebana as it shows us an understanding of the obstacles we encounter on the path.
Participants will be given basic instruction in meditation practice.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites. The class is open to anyone with or without experience in Ikebana.
Arrival & Departure
Tuesday, please arrive 3:00 - 6:00pm for registration.
Dinner will be served at 6:30pm.
There will be an orientation given at 7:30pm.
On Sunday, the program will finish by 5:00pm.
Flower Fee: A $50 non-refundable flower fee is included in the tuition amount.
Three Options
FREE Friday Night Public Talk & Demonstration: Join us as Marcia gives a taste of what Kado is about and what the rest of the weekend will be like. No registration necessary to attend just the talk. Friday, Oct. 30, 7:30pm.
October 30 - November 1:
This weekend portion of the program is a good place to start if you are new to the practice , curious about it, or have studied with a different school of Kado Ikebana . You can register just for the weekend by clicking on this link.
October 27 - November 1:
The full 5-day retreat offers an opportunity to deepen your practice. For those who have previously worked with Kado Ikebana, the program will be customized to meet your individual level and needs. You can register for the entire 5-day retreat on this page.
Cancellation Policy
Approximately two weeks before the start date of a program we confirm that we have sufficient numbers to hold the event. On the rare occasion when enrollment is too low, we may need to cancel a program. If this happens, we will notify all registered participants as soon as possible and provide a full refund of the program and accommodation fees paid to us. The center is not responsible for airfare or other travel expenses incurred. For this reason we recommend purchasing refundable travel tickets or travel insurance whenever possible.
Getting Here
Visit our Directions and Transportation page to see different options for traveling to Karmê Chöling including our Rideshare board.
Pricing
Karmê Chöling values its commitment to making programs affordable and available to all who wish to study with us. To support this commitment we provide two program price options.
Generosity Price: $750.00
You're able to help us with this commitment by choosing the "Generosity Price". The money above the basic tuition cost goes into a scholarship fund for those who might not be able to attend a program otherwise.
Tuition: $625.00
This is the price of the program, it does not include housing options or material fees.
Please Note:
Price does not include accommodations, which will be added during the registration process.
Policies
Payment Policies:
Please read the payment policy before proceeding with registration.
Financial Aid:
Karmê Chöling offers full-time student discounts, scholarships and other financial aid.
Program Credit:
If using existing program credit to pay for a program, you must pre-register for this program at least two weeks prior to the program start date by calling the front desk (802-633-2384 x3000). Program credit may not be used to pay for housing or practice materials and may not be used on or after arrival day.
Instructor
In 1974 Marcia Shibata began her journey with Kado Ikebana and the Buddhist/Taoist path with Chögyam Trungpa. She went to Asia to learn Ikebana as it was to date in Japan in 1980 and remained there until 1985.
MS Shibata's intention remains to understand and teach how Kado Ikebana practice is a portal to innate wisdom mind through diligent practice of forms, meditation practice, and studying of the laws of nature through the Buddhist/Taoist views and by observing and studying nature directly.
She has taught Ikebana grounded in meditation practice from 1985 to the present day in the US and Europe.
In 2003, she was given permission to open a fresh school of Ikebana in which the laws of Dharma are revealed, through the blessings of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche.
Since then the School continues to develop and recently settled in Prague CZ Republic as its first official physical location.
Instructor:
Marcia Shibata
Date & Time Details:
Location:
On-Land
Program Fee:
Generosity Price - $750
Tuition - $625
Room/Meals Fee:
This will be added in during the registration process.
View accommodations
Wellness Update:
Read our Wellness Policy
Contact Us:
Karmê Chöling
(802) 633-2384
info@karmecholing.org
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