Formal Starting / Finishing of Training
Starting
Line up facing the back wall (opposite the office) with the highest grades on the right and the lowest on the left.
Sitting in Seiza – hands in gassho
Chant – Shikin Haramits(u) Dai Kyo Myo
Two Claps & Bow
One Clap & Bow
Instructor turns to face the class
Instructor & Class bow to each other and say Onegashimas(u)
Finishing
Line up facing the back wall (opposite the office) with the highest grades on the right and the lowest on the left.
Sitting in Seiza – hands in gassho
Chant – Shikin Haramits(u) Dai Kyo Myo
Two Claps & Bow
One Clap & Bow
Instructor turns to face the class
Instructor & Class bow to each other and say Arigato Gozaimas(u)
Please note that the (u) is not pronounced.
An explanation of ‘Shiken Haramitsu Daikomyo’ ‘Chihaya buru, kami no oshie wa totoshi ni tadashiki kokoro, mio mamoruran’
Chihaya buru literally translates as “a thousand quick shakes” and serves as the introduction to this “waka” style poem. The remainder of the phrase helps to remind us that the teachings of the Kami will protect a proper heart for eternity, while a proper heart will protect all of your being.
‘Shiken Haramitsu Daikomyo’ Shiken : Shiken is the sensation and the harmony perceived by the sense of hearing and heart. It is also the creative sound result of polar opposites uniting (in/yo, yin/yang, man/woman)
Haramitsu : Also know in Sanskrit as Paramita (one of the Ksanti Paramita) which is Buddha’s Satori or a permenant state of spiritual awaking that transcends the limitations of life and death. The general idea behind the 6 Paramita is freedom from bearing grudges, pain or jealousy and building endurance in a relationship with the world outside of yourself. Hatsumi Sensei’s idea fosters sincerity, loyalty and faithfulness.
Daikomyo : In Buddism, it is the big bright light of Buddha. For us, it is the illumination from your inside to your outside. This can be experienced as the light of your heart on a physical plane.
