Chiyang Daoren, Eastern Taoism
Taoism has no single incantation that is absolutely the “most powerful,” because Taoist incantations each have their own emphasis and are geared to different situations (such as protecting the body, expelling evil, purifying the heart, or praying for blessings); in a given situation, one can stand as the representative “strongest.”
Taking together the Taoist scriptures and system of practice, and the strength of the responses Taoists experience in their practice, the following incantations are widely recognized as the most powerful Taoist incantations, holding a central place.
I. The Golden Light Incantation (Foremost for Protecting the Body, Inner Refinement, and Expelling Evil)
Status:
First of the Taoist Eight Great Incantations, the first incantation Taoist priests through the ages have recited in their morning and evening liturgy, and regarded as the core Taoist incantation for protecting the body.
Incantation:
The mysterious source of heaven and earth, the root of the myriad qi. Having cultivated widely through a hundred million kalpas, I bear witness to my divine powers.
Within and beyond the Three Realms, the Tao alone is supreme. My body holds golden light, which covers and shines upon my person.
Looked at, it cannot be seen; listened to, it cannot be heard. It embraces heaven and earth and nourishes all living beings.
Receive and uphold it ten thousand times, and the body will shine with light. The Three Realms stand guard; the Five Emperors attend to welcome me.
The myriad spirits pay homage; thunder and lightning do my bidding. Ghosts and demons lose their nerve; sprites and goblins forget their form.
Within there is the thunderclap; the thunder gods hide their names. Profound wisdom penetrates through and through; the five qi rise and surge.
Golden light, appear swiftly, cover and protect this Perfected one. Swiftly, swiftly, as the law commands!
Effects:
By inwardly refining the golden light so that the primordial spirit protects the body, it can drive away evil and ward off misfortune, balance the Five Elements, and strengthen the energy of body and mind. It can summon golden light to protect the body and resist the intrusion of outside evils, and it assists the cultivation of inner alchemy.
II. The Tianpeng Incantation (Divine Incantation of True Lord Tianpeng) (Foremost for Expelling Evil, Slaying Demons, and Purification)
Status:
It is the foremost divine incantation of Taoism, belonging to the lineage of the Northern Emperor (the Fengyue rites). It is the core of the “Tianpeng rites” and is known for its “ferocity” and “power.”
Incantation:
Tianpeng, Tianpeng, killing youth of the Nine Mysteries. Chief of the Five Ding, lofty elder of the North.
Of the Seven Governors and Eight Numina, the Most High, radiant and fierce. Long-skulled giant beast, holding the emperor's bell in hand.
The three spirits of Suniao drive in solemn state the kui dragons. Divine king of the mighty sword, slaying evil and wiping out its traces.
Purple qi rides the heavens; cinnabar clouds blaze forth. Swallowing demons and devouring ghosts, he stands athwart and drinks the wind.
Blue tongue and green teeth, an old man with four eyes. Heavenly Ding warriors, mighty in the south, fending off evil.
Heavenly outriders, fierce and violent, mighty in the north, fending off blades. Three hundred thousand troops guard my ninefold gates.
Driving corpses away a thousand li, dispelling all that is inauspicious. Should any petty ghost dare to come and show itself,
the great axe that cleaves heaven slays ghosts in five forms. The fiery blood of the Flame Emperor, the burning bones of the Northern Dipper.
Siming smashes their skeletons; Tianyou exterminates their kind. With one stroke of the divine blade, the myriad ghosts collapse of themselves.
Swiftly, swiftly, as the law commands!
Effects:
It specifically subdues mountain spirits and wild goblins, evil demons and great ghosts, and all manner of sprites and monsters, and has an extremely strong effect in suppressing and expelling possession, entanglement by evil and defilement, and frequent evil occurrences in the home.
III. The Incantation for Purifying the Heart (Purifying the Heart, Removing Stray Thoughts, and Divine Protection)
Status:
A commonly used Taoist protective incantation, which Taoist priests must recite when going up to the hall to chant scriptures and in daily practice.
Incantation:
Most High Terrace Stars, responding to change without ceasing. Drive out evil and bind the goblins; preserve life and protect the body.
May wisdom be bright and pure, and heart and spirit be at peace. May the three hun souls endure forever, and the po souls suffer no loss.
Swiftly, swiftly, as the law commands!
Effects:
It focuses on purifying the heart and stabilizing the spirit; by clearing away stray thoughts and negative energy, it protects the peace of the practitioner's body and mind and prevents evil qi from entering.
IV. The Six Ding and Six Jia Protective Divine Incantation (Protecting the Body and Preserving Life)
Status:
A classic protective incantation that draws on the guarding power of the Six Ding and Six Jia divine generals.
Incantation:
Dingchou, prolong my life. Dinghai, watch over my hun soul. Dingyou, govern my po soul. Dingwei, drive off my calamities.
Dingsi, carry me through danger. Dingmao, dispel my distress. Jiazi, protect my body. Jiaxu, preserve my form.
Jiashen, secure my life. Jiawu, guard my spirit. Jiachen, settle my numinous self. Jiayin, nurture my true self.
Effects:
It emphasizes protection of the body, the soul, one's lifespan, and more, and is suited to daily travel, encounters with danger, or situations where one needs to strengthen one's own energy field.
V. The Celestial Master Protective Divine Incantation (Expelling and Slaying Evil)
Status:
A protective divine incantation that relies on the majesty and power of Celestial Master Zhang.
Incantation:
Blazing and brilliant, the sun rises in the east. Now I recite this incantation to sweep away all that is inauspicious. Whatever meets the incantation is destroyed,
whatever meets the incantation perishes. Celestial Master and Perfected, protect me at my side; slay evil and destroy sprites, and let my body hold numinous light.
I act by the command of Lord Lao the Most High: Swiftly, swiftly, as the law commands!
Effects:
It carries a strong sense of expelling evil and driving out wickedness and is often used to resist obvious evil influences or dangerous situations, emphasizing the protective power of the Celestial Master lineage.
The efficacy of Taoist incantations is often related to the sincerity, faith, and physical and mental state of the practitioner or reciter, and to their understanding of the Taoist teachings. In a modern context, these incantations are more often regarded as expressions of cultural tradition and spiritual sustenance, and it is advisable to approach them with a rational and respectful attitude.