Zen

[Aupmanyav]

The ritual is bow entering the room where we gather, bow to the alter, and to the place where I will sit.... to me that is honoring the space that has been provided.

In Hindu rituals too, first bow to the person who is conducting the ritual, pray to Brahman (Hiranyagarbha Sukta, first stanza).

"hiraṇyagharbhaḥ samavartata agre, bhūtasya jātaḥ patih eka āsīt;
sa dādhāra pṛithivīṃ dyām utemāṃ, kasmai devāya haviṣā vidhema."

(In the beginning rose Hiranyagarbha, born Only Lord of all created beings,
He fixed and holds up this earth and heaven. What God shall we adore with our oblation?"
(meaning no other)

Then we worship Earth (Prithvi), then Kshetrapala (Area God) for permission to conduct the ritual. Then Lord Ganesha, traditionally the first God to be worshiped for successful completion of the ritual.