The Nine Syllables (九字 - Kuji ) most often referred to is of TAOIST ORIGIN. It is a string of nine words used in Taoist Sorcery and Incantations to expel spirits, ghosts, demons, wild animals, poisonous insects and protect from dangers while going into untamed forests and mountains.
Western Kids who are crazy over Japanese Comics and also the Adults who are Ninja-Wannabes have mistaken that "The Nine Syllables" (known as Kuji) is originated either from Japan or Tantric Buddhism.
The Buddhist mudras were added to the spell later. The combined technique was received in Japan from China during the Tang dynasty. It was originally used by the Onmyoji (阴阳师 Yin-Yang Masters) of the Japanese court. But during the Kamakura period, after most of the Department of Yin-Yang (Onmyoryo) was disbanded, the techniques were picked up by Shugendo practitioners (who were originally made up of both Vajrayana Buddhists and former Yin-Yang Masters). Since Shugendo is often considered a form of Buddhism (even though it is no more or less Buddhism than it is Taoism or Shintoism) the Kuji-In are often mistaken as being purely Buddhist, and the mantra as being originally from Sanskrit.
Taoist Nine Syllables were 1st recorded in the ancient Taoist Text - Baopuzi (抱朴子).
Nine Syllables (九字 - Kuji ) is first introduced in the Taoist text Baopuzi (抱朴子) a poem written by Ge Hong c.280-340 ADE). In it he introduces the 九字真言(KUJI) in Chapter 17 titled Deng-She (登涉) ( Climbing Mountains and Crossing Rivers ) as a prayer to the Liu Jia (六甲, Generals of Yang), ancient Taoist gods.
In Daoist Magic, the Liu Jia (六甲) are 6 Spirit Generals (甲子、甲戌、甲申、甲午、甲寅)，who are powerful celestial guardians and part of Tammon-Ten's (Vaiśravaṇa), The God of the North, Celestial Thunder Court.
Modern days publishing of the text of Bao-Pu-Zi by different publishers and also information found online have provided slightly different version of Taoist Nine Syllables. The "斗者" and "门者" and also between the "数组"(meaning array) and "阵列"(meaning array) have been used interchangeably by different Taoist Masters and anyway, they share the same meaning.
1st version: of Taoist Nine Syllables:
临兵斗者皆数组前行
2nd version: of Taoist Nine Syllables:
临兵门者皆数组前行
3rd version of Taoist Nine Syllables:
临兵斗者皆阵列前行
4th version of Taoist Nine Syllables:
临兵门者皆阵列前行
The above 4 versions share the same meaning:
"Celestial soldiers/fighters, All arrange yourselves and proceed forward"
天以盖，地以掩，是曰，天地为门，人处其中则为囚，人囚于天地，是故受制于天地；是以，斗天斗地，出吾芦屋，出吾牢矣，故称‘斗门’，斗者，亦为“门者”
How to Use Taoist Nine Syllables?
When You are climbing up a mountain or entering into deep forest or going into the wild, constantly recite this 9 words in Your heart or speak softly and everything will go smoothly. It means no spirits, ghosts, demons, wild animals, poisonous insects will harm You and You are protected from all dangers.
Deng- She /登涉 - Chapter 17 - Line 5:
抱朴子曰：“入名山，以甲子开除日，以五色缯各五寸，悬大石上，所求必得。又曰，入山宜知六甲秘祝。祝曰，临兵斗者，皆数组前行。凡九字，常当密祝之，无所不辟。要道不烦，此之谓也。
Baopuzi said: To enter a mountain (and forest), choose an auspicious day, take silk of five colors, with each of them five inches wide and place it on a large rock and You will succeed in your goal. When entering the mountain, know the Liu-Jia Secret Spell ( meaning Nine Syllables 九字真言, Kuji Verse). It goes: "临兵斗者皆阵列前行" (Lín bīng dòu zhě, jiē shù zǔ qián xíng) - (Celestial soldiers/fighters, All arrange yourselves and proceed forward). Constantly recite this nine words prayer in secret, nothing cannot be avoided. (Protect against Demons,ghosts,spirits, wild animals and dangers etc).
Nine Hand Seals | Kuji-In | 九字真言手诀 | 九字手印 | 九字法印 | 奥义九字印
Hand gestures were added to each of the Taoist Nine Syllables and become known as the Nine Hand Seals (九字手印).
Most kids and adults have only seen the Japanese version of Kuji-In due to watching too much Japanese Cartoons and also the Japanese enter Western Countries to aggressively promote their Japanese Martial Arts to cash in from Western Folks during the early 70s and 80s. The Original Taoist Kuji-In is shown below.
Taoist Sword Nine Hand Seals Ritual (道教剑宗九字真言手诀)
The Original Taoist Kuji is used "临兵斗者皆数组前行" (lín bīng dòu zhě jiē shǔ zǔ qián xíng)
When Taoist Nine Syllables (The spell alone) entered Japan , some words had changed slightly. The "阵列前行" (zhèn liè qián xíng) is changed to "阵列在前" (zhèn liè zài qián).
Original Taoist Verse:
临兵斗者皆阵列前行 (Lín bīng dòu zhě, jiē shù zǔ qián xíng)
Japanese Verse:
临兵斗者皆阵列在前 (Simplified Chinese Characters)
Meaning "Celestial soldiers/fighters, all arrange yourselves in front of me" .
臨兵闘者皆陣列在前 (Traditional Chinese Characters)
りん・びょう・とう・しゃ・かい・じん・れつ・ざい・ぜん (Japanese Characters)
Rin・Pyō ・Tō ・Sha ・Kai.・Jin・Retsu・Zai・Zen (Pronunciation)
Korean Verse ( The 10 Syllables):
临兵斗者皆阵列在前行
Meaning "Celestial soldiers/fighters, All arrange yourselves in front and proceed !".
The video of the more popular Japanese Kuji-In (九字の印).
Sanskrit Mantras are added to the Kuji-In (九字の印) as well.
奇门四纵五横法 | 四縱五橫防身術 | 奧義九字切 | 九字切り | 九字大事 | 纵横法 | Kuji-Kiri | Four vertical and five horizontal lines of Qi Men-Dun Jia
Nine Syllable Cuts (Kuji-Kiri , 九字切り) is the practice of making nine cuts - five horizontal and four vertical, alternately in the air with the finger or on paper with a brush .
The Taoist Nine Syllables are combined with "Qi Men - Dun Jia" (奇门遁甲) and become known as Four Vertical Five Horizontal Cuts(奇门四纵五横法). Since ancient time, the Taoists use it to seek safety and to make their wishes come true.
For the Japanese, while performing the action of Nine Syllable Cuts, the syllable Kō (行) is sometimes spoken, which become "临兵斗者皆阵列在前.. 行!". Meaning "Celestial soldiers/fighters, All arrange yourselves in front.. Proceed!"
Adaptability of Taoist Nine Syllables
The usage of Taoist Nine Syllables are a very adaptable ritual to the needs of the individual or organization. Once the overall structure of Taoist Nine Syllables is understood, it can be adopted to fit almost any need.
Video shows using Taoist Nine Syllables - 九字真言 (Kuji-Kiri) to get rid of ghosts before entering hotel room