Torma

Tormas on a shrine

Making tormas

Monk making tormas in Sera Monastery in 1939

Torma (Skt. balingta, Tib: gtor ma) are figures made mostly of flour and butter used in tantric rituals or as offerings in Tibetan Buddhism. They may be dyed in different colors, often with white or red for the main body of the torma. They are made in specific shapes based on their purpose, usually conical in form. A very large, central shrine torma may be constructed for festivals, though typically they are small and placed directly on a shrine, on a plate, mounted on leather or held on a special base like a skull.

History

The tradition of using offering cakes pre-dates Tibetan Buddhism, though traditional Indian offering cakes — called bali or balingha in Sanskrit — are flat instead of conical.

The Tibetan term comes from the root gtor-ba which means to "cast away, break up, or scatter". This implies both a sense of offering and of letting go or non-attachment.

Variations

Tormas have different uses. Some are created and placed on shrines for ceremonies or to represent deities. Others are used in feast practice and consumed by practitioners during the practice. Others are made to appease spirits, accumulate merit, or remove obstacles. They are mostly made of barley flour and butter, but traditionally other ingredients such as egg, milk, sugar, honey, and even meat may be included depending upon the purpose of the torma.

Sources

• Beer, Robert (2003) The Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols ISBN 1-932476-03-2
• Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. Translated by Erik Pema Kunsang (2004) Crystal Clear: Practical Advice for Mahamudra Meditators ISBN 962-7341-51-7
• Kongtrul, Jamgon and Padmasambhava. Translated by Erik Pema Kunsang (1998) Light of Wisdom: A Collection of Padmasambhava's Advice to the Dakini Yeshe Rangjung Yeshe Publications, ISBN 962-7341-33-9
• Kongtrul, Jamgon. Translated by Sarah Harding. (2002) Creation & Completion: Essential Points of Tantric Meditation ISBN 0-86171-312-5
• Padmasambhava. Translated by Erik Pema Kunsang (2004) Dzogchen Essentials: The Path that Clarifies Confusion Rangjung Yeshe Publications, ISBN 962-7341-53-3
• Wilson, Martin (1996) In Praise of Tara: Songs to the Saviouress ISBN 0-86171-109-2