Taoist Mantras and Hand Seals: Unlock Divine Power

Also known as "true words," mantras are one of the core elements of Taoist rituals (zhaijiao ceremonies), possessing special powers such as invoking deities, expelling evil spirits, curing illnesses, and protecting the body. The Supreme Scripture of Divine Incantations from the Cavern Abyss states: "When a great master cures illnesses, he only needs to recite verbal incantations—no paper is required. Silent healing, along with reciting scriptures and practicing Taoist austerities, will surely bring recovery. For severely ill patients, one may also combine verbal incantations with repenting past transgressions, dissolving karmic entanglements, and redeeming sins on their behalf." Like drawing Taoist Talismans, reciting mantras requires cultivating Internal Alchemy to be effective. Generally, the combined use of mantras, talisman-drawing, and hand seals in ritual altars enhances their efficacy.

Taoist Mantras and Hand Seals

The Scripture of Flying Immortals Transcending Mortals·Chapter on Natural Attainment of Truth explains: "Characters are condensed Qi; talismans are the essence of characters; mantras are the principles of characters; and recitation is the sound of characters. Using cinnabar to dye paper, characters and talismans take form through this medium. Reciting mantras with the mouth invokes ghosts and gods through the harmony and spiritual power of Qi—summoning deities with human will, drawing Qi with divine power, refining Qi into spirit, and uniting spirit with Qi. Concentrating the spirit to circulate Qi merges Qi with spirit. By aligning one’s inherent harmony with the refined Qi of heaven and earth, the methods of embodying characters and talismansare activated." Practice of mantras is roughly divided into three levels: Upper, Middle, and Lower. Due to various factors, significant differences in energy and effectiveness exist between each level.

The Lower Level method is easy to learn but progresses slowly; yet with true transmission, its techniques still yield certain results. The Middle Level method focuses on cultivating Internal Alchemy while mastering ritual skills, requiring integration in practice—those who attain it can exert considerable influence in ritual settings. The Upper Level method is an esoteric spiritual practice based on internal cultivation, enabling supernatural effects beyond the phenomenal world after attainment. However, since ancient times, very few people have mastered this highest level.

Early Taoist hand gestures, also called "jue" (seals), were passed down as secret formulas from patriarchs. Compilation of Taoist Methods·Essentials of Bright Light notes: "Patriarchs must transmit seal gestures—they penetrate the mysterious, reveal the subtle, invoke deities, and control ghosts. The key lies in holding seals, silently circulating void and primal essence—hence they are named 'jue'." As a Taoist technique in zhaijiao ceremonies, hand seals involve pinching, grasping, twisting, or forming specific finger configurations, known as "qiajue" (seal-pinching). The Jade Manual of the Supreme Purity from the Heavenly Emperor’s Ultimate Dao states: "Seal-pinching connects one to the true, subdues evil, commands generals, and accomplishes affairs—each seal is unique." Internal Methods of Taiji Ritual Refinement asks: "What is seal-pinching? It is the activation of energy acupoints."

Taoist techniques mainly include expelling ghosts, curing illnesses, restraining souls, summoning wind and rain, etc., with distinct hand gestures for each. During rituals, Taoist masters also emphasize reciting corresponding mantras—only through multi-faceted coordination can practitioners attain incredible spiritual powers such as communicating with heaven, invoking deities, using fingers as swords, and subduing evil spirits. Hand seals are indispensable in Taoist zhaijiao rituals, scripture recitation, and repentance ceremonies, but rarely function in isolation. In fact, seal-pinching is closely related to the human body’s meridians and acupoints.

Based on holographic theory, the five zang-organs, six fu-organs, and twelve meridians are reflected in the hands—thus seal-pinching helps mobilize internal essence (jing) and spirit (shen). Conceptually, there is a subtle connection between seals and deities, but their primary purpose is to control the activation of internal Qi. Heart Transmission of Taoist Methods states: "When essence is stabilized, Qi is stabilized; when Qi is stabilized, spirit ascends. With the three stabilized, Taoist methods are complete... Practice operates on the innate primal Qi, utilizing one’s own original spirit." Therefore, Taoist priests cannot achieve significant effects through rituals without cultivation or mastery of techniques.