About Tormas

www.tormas.biz

Tormas are associated with many aspects of Tibetan Buddhist practice. At times described by westerners as “Tibetan ritual cakes,” tormas are in fact made from many different kinds of substances. There are various ways of understanding the significance of tormas for Buddhist practitioners and they are a meaningful element of the practice of the Tibetan Vajrayana.

The Tibetan word “torma” has two parts. The first syllable “tor” is a verb that means to “throw out.” In the Vajrayana sadhana practices, tormas made of barley flour, butter and other ingredients are literally placed outside as a gesture of making offering and generosity. The inner sense of throwing out is understood as the severing of attachment to desirable things--cutting through one's entrapment in desire. It can also mean the throwing out of kleshas—severing from, or purifying, conditioned emotional reactions that cause so much suffering for oneself and others.

The second syllable “ma” is a feminine ending, which evokes a maternal, nurturing quality. Understanding the true meaning of this simple syllable is a means of cultivating loving kindness for all sentient beings much as a mother feels love for her children. So, with the first syllable one severs attachment to self-centeredness. Having removed that obstacle, with the second syllable one may radiate love and sympathy to others. This is the rich inner meaning of offering torma.

(The above was derived in part from remarks made by Lama Tashi Dondrup at Sopa Choling three-year retreat center in 1998. Translated by Elizabeth Callahan.)

Dear Visitor,

On this website you can view and order permanent shrine tormas for Vajrayogini (Dorje Phagmo), Chakrasamvara (Khorlo Demchok) and other vajrayana practices.

These tormas are hand made following traditional Tibetan guidelines for shape, color and ornamental features. I trained in torma making at Sopa Choling, Gampo Abbey in the three-year retreat, which I completed in 2003. I generally follow two related Karma Kagyu torma making traditions as practiced at Rumtek monastery in Sikkim, and Samye Ling monastery in India. The materials used to make the tormas, however, are modern and durable. The torma forms are made from Sculpey ™, which is a high quality polymer sculpting medium. The torma bodies are painted using vividly colored enamels. They are created to last for decades of home and retreat practice if properly cared for.

Click for example images of these tormas .