Shiken Haramitsu Daikomyo

At the start of the lesson, when lines are called, a short opening ceremony is performed.  The class kneels in grade order and face the front of the dojo (or kamiza if there is one) and the class instructor does the same.

The Palms are raised above the head and the head and brought down together in front.  There will be a quiet moment of contemplation, and then the instructor will say "Shikin Haramitsu Daikomyo", which is then repeated by the class.

The whole class then claps their hands twice and bow. Coming up, the hands are raised again and clapped (only once this time) and the bow repeated.

The instructor turns to face the class, and the highest ranking student says "Sensei ni rei".  The class bows as it says "onegaishimasu" (please instruct me).

Any special instructions for the day are then given, and the class starts.

The ceremony is repeated at the end of class, except the final phrase is changed to "Domo Arigato Gozaimasu" (thank you very much).

What does this mean?  Shiken Haramitsu Daikomyo can be translated, "Every encounter is sacred and could present the one potential key to the perfection of the great universal enlightenment we seek".  The ceremony has no religious meaning, but is a way to honor our teacher, and each other, and remind us (in a very Japanese way) to pay attention.