Special Program in June!
The Heart of Kyudo (the Way of the Bow)
An Introduction to the Teachings of Kanjuro Shibata XX, Sensei
With Carolyn Kanjuro
Saturday and Sunday, June 16-17, 11am – 3pm
38 Old Church Lane, South Salem, NY 10590
(Note: this program may be cancelled in the event of rain)
Requested Donation $50/person
"Kyudo practice is about balance. In balance, the feeling is not heavy, but light, soft. From this, awareness naturally arises." Kanjuro Shibata XX
In an era rife with divisiveness, agitation and struggles of all kinds, the teachings of Kyudo as transmitted by Shibata Sensei might feel like a delicate flower, too fine for this time and place. But these teachings are, in fact, timeless and accessible. Kyudo, an ancient form of "standing meditation" with bow and arrow, balances movement and stillness, outer form and inner heart, and solitary practice with gentle attention on group communication and harmony. Precision and vastness come together in the environment of meditation practice and the continual process of "cleaning the heart" with each arrow's release.
Kanjuro Shibata XX was a 20th generation master of the Way of the Bow and third generation bowmaker to the Emperor of Japan. Invited to the West by the venerable Tibetan meditation master, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, the two formed an indelible bond. Shibata Sensei remained in the West, at Trungpa Rinpoche's request, establishing kyudo practice halls throughout North America and Europe, traveling and teaching until his death at the age of 91 in 2013.
Carolyn Kanjuro was a student of Shibata Sensei's for thirteen years and became his translator and wife. Carolyn accompanied him everywhere for the last decade of his life, thereby absorbing the essence as well as the form of his teachings. She has been a practitioner of dharma for over forty years, from the age of nine, whenshe first met Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. She is currently developing an archive of Shibata Sensei's teachings, and she works as a freelance writer and editor. To see some initial posts from this archive visit:
*WBC maintains a policy of making our programs affordable to all. Those with limited income please offer what you can afford on this page.