Golden Light Incantation

金光神咒 (Golden Light Incantation)​

The Golden Light Incantation (金光神咒) is one of the most widely known Daoist sacred invocations. It is traditionally associated with protection, purification, spiritual authority, and the invocation of divine light. The text appears in the Daoist scripture 《太上三洞神咒》 (Taishang Sandong Shenzhou, "The Supreme Scripture of Divine Incantations of the Three Caverns"), a collection of ritual formulas and sacred invocations preserved within the Daoist Canon (Daozang).
The incantation belongs to the ritual tradition of Thunder Rites (雷法, Leifa), in which divine authority is invoked through sacred words, visualization, and ritual intent. Rather than being merely a prayer for personal protection, the text describes the practitioner becoming united with the Dao, surrounded by Golden Light, attended by celestial guardians, welcomed by the Five Emperors, and empowered by the forces of Thunder. Through this illumination, harmful influences, spirits, and malevolent forces are dispelled.
In modern Daoist practice, the Golden Light Incantation is often recited before meditation, ritual work, martial arts training, or other spiritual exercises. It is regarded as a method for establishing a sacred and protected space while aligning oneself with the cosmic order of the Dao.

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金光神咒​

Golden Light Incantation​

Chinese​

天地玄宗　萬氣本根　廣修億劫　證吾神通
三界內外　惟道獨尊　體有金光　覆映吾身
視之不見　聽之不聞　包羅天地　養育群生
誦持一遍　身有光明　三界侍衛　五帝司迎
萬神朝禮　役使雷霆　鬼妖喪膽　精怪亡形
內有霹靂　雷神隱名　洞慧交徹　五氣騰騰
金光速現　覆護真人　急急如玉皇光降律令敕

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Pinyin​

Tiāndì Xuánzōng, wàn qì běn gēn, guǎng xiū yì jié, zhèng wú shén tōng.
Sānjiè nèi wài, wéi Dào dú zūn, tǐ yǒu jīn guāng, fù yìng wú shēn.
Shì zhī bù jiàn, tīng zhī bù wén, bāo luó tiāndì, yǎng yù qún shēng.
Sòng chí yí biàn, shēn yǒu guāng míng, sānjiè shì wèi, Wǔdì sī yíng.
Wàn shén cháo lǐ, yì shǐ léi tíng, guǐ yāo sàng dǎn, jīng guài wáng xíng.
Nèi yǒu pīlì, Léi Shén yǐn míng, dòng huì jiāo chè, wǔ qì téng téng.
Jīn guāng sù xiàn, fù hù zhēn rén, jí jí rú Yù Huáng guāng jiàng lǜ lìng chì.

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English Translation​

The Mysterious Source of Heaven and Earth,
the original root of the myriad energies.
Through cultivation across countless aeons,
I realize my divine spiritual powers.
Within and beyond the Three Realms,
the Dao alone is Supreme.
Golden light fills my being,
enveloping and illuminating my body.
Though sought, it cannot be seen;
though listened for, it cannot be heard.
It encompasses Heaven and Earth
and nurtures all living beings.
Reciting and upholding it even once,
the body becomes filled with radiant light.
The guardians of the Three Realms stand watch,
and the Five Emperors welcome and receive me.
Ten thousand spirits pay homage,
and the powers of Thunder are commanded into service.
Ghosts and demons lose their courage,
spirits and monsters lose their form.
Within resounds the thunderclap;
the Thunder God conceals his sacred name.
Profound insight penetrates everywhere,
and the Five Qi surge and rise.
May the Golden Light swiftly appear
to protect and shield the Perfected One.
Swiftly, swiftly! By the decree of the Jade Emperor's descending radiance, let this command be carried out.