Shiken Haramitsu
Daikomyo
I'll start this by explaining how the ceremony is done and explain the meaning behind it later.
Firstly all the students line up at the North wall of the Dojo. The students should line up in order of grade. Highest to the right. Everybody should take the line from the first student on the right. The Instructor should be out in front facing the students. At the command 'Seiza' all the students kneel and the instructor turns so his back is to the students and face the Dojo shrine (?) and kneels. On the command 'Gassho' everybody places his or her hands together in front of them (as if praying). The instructor will then say:
Chihaya buru, kami no oshie wa totoshi ni tadashiki kokoro, mio mamoruran
He will then say:
'Shiken Haramitsu Daikomyo'
The students repeat this. Everybody claps their hands twice and bows, and then claps their hands once more. The Dojo Cho will then turn and face the students and everyone bows again. Everyone then say's: Onegi Shimasu'
The ceremony is repeated at the end of a class exactly the same, but at the
end everyone says:
'Arigato Gozaimas'
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.
'Onegi Shimasu'
Please teach me
'Arigato Gozaimas'
Thank you This article reprinted from the
Mahoutsukai Dojo, without permission. |
