Appreciation and practice of the arts is seen within the Triratna Buddhist Community as an important means of engaging the emotions in the spiritual life and of making a bridge between traditional Buddhism and Western culture. Many of our sangha members make their living in the arts or have a strong creative talent. The arts bring richness and depth to our community and a personal connection with our own practice.
Aryaloka offers many opportunities to engage in creative pursuits through classes, retreats and workshops. We also have frequent arts events – musical performances, art showings, and more – through our Arts at Aryaloka programming. Arts events are open to all and always promise to be lively and elevating.
Aryaloka Buddhist Center welcomes once again our own talented and acclaimed violinist Sravaniya, accompanied by pianist Elizabeth Blood, for a blissful evening concert.
Ikebana (living flower) has its origins in the 7th century when the practice of Buddhism traveled from China and Korea and arrived in Japan. A flower offering was always placed on the altar in front of Buddha. In this ancient discipline, a simple seasonal floral arrangement reinforced the connection that mankind has with nature, offering the arranger a way – kado – of expressing himself and awakening his spirit in connection with the natural world. Ikebanists arrange flowers with special regard to balance, harmony, and form. The arranger and the flower arrangement, ikebana, express the harmonious balance that should exist between humans and the universe. When we arrange our ikebana we forget ourselves and allow our ki to merge with the plant materials we are using. This workshop will include instruction on two different seasonal ikebana arrangements.
