Opening & Closing Ceremony. Explained.
Before officially commencing the training session, all students of the class are required to participate in an opening ceremony. This time is essential for allowing everyone to mentally prepare and focus on the session ahead. It fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among participants, encouraging them to leave their distractions behind and engage fully. By taking part in this opening, students align their intentions with the goals of the training, creating a more productive and unified atmosphere for the session.
The opening ceremony goes as such:
Students line up grand and rank order from right to left with the most senior students being on the right facing the Kamiza - shrine. Students must also be positioned ever so slightly behind the higher ranking student to their right. A good rule of thumb to follow is to stand with your toes positioned 1 or 2cm behind theirs.
When standing next to others in the line, allow enough space between each other so that your elbows don’t clash.Either stand in Shizen - natural, relaxed posture with your hands by your side and your heels together; or in Seiza - seated, kneeling posture. The posture will be determined by the instructor.
Led by the instructor, recite the following mantra in unison with the class:
Shikin Haramitsu Daikoumyo
(Shi-kin Ha-ra-mit-su Dai-ko-myo)
Translation:
“Every experience we are given contains within it the key to perfection of ourselves”
In unison, clap your hands together twice, bow, clap once, bow again.
The instructor will turn to face the class where the most senior student will then call out:
Sensei Ni Rei
(Sen-say Nee Ray)
Translation: Bow to the teacher
Alternative: “Senpai Ni Rei”
To be used when an instructor other than the head instructor is leading the class.
Students and instructor then bow to each other saying:
O-negai Shimasu
(Oh-neh Guy-shi-mas)
Translation:
“Please assist me”
Training can now begin under the instructors direction.
The closing ceremony goes largely the same as the opening ceremony with the difference being that after the recital of the mantra in unison, the instructor turns to the class and both students and instructor says:
Domo Arigato Gozaimashita
(Doh-moh Ah-ree-gah-toh Goh-zai-ma-shi-ta)
Translation:
