Frequently Asked Questions

I’ve tried to compile a number of questions I have received from people over time. If your question isn’t here let me know and I’ll try to include it and give it an answer if I can.

What are these tormas made of and are they durable?

These tormas are made to be quite durable, the colors will not fade, and if taken care of they will reside unchanged on your shrine for a very long time. Unless your cat knocks it over, which happens. But that aside, they are sturdy and made to be packed (using packing material of your choice for protection) and taken to and from retreat as needed.

I use Hydrostone to cast some parts, Sculpey (polymer clay) for ornaments, acrylic paints, water-based craft glue, and a clear glaze called ModPodge.  That’s what they are made of.

Are these tormas edible?

Nope, they’re not. Traditionally many tormas were, and still are, made of tsampa (barley flour), butter, and vegetable/mineral dyes—though such shrine tormas are not intended to be eaten. There are tsok tormas that are made of tsampa and other ingredients for the purpose of being consumed by feast participants in feast offering practice. Mine are permanent tormas made of non-edible materials, designed to endure, and would taste terrible. 

Are these toxic?

Only if you try to eat one. Just kidding, but don’t try to eat one.

Whenever possible I use nontoxic materials to make them. I allow some time for the paints, glaze and adhesive to cure before shipping to the recipient. If there is any toxicity—which is minor—to some materials when I am applying them, it would not be any sort of risk to the recipient since the adhesives, paints, and so forth are dry and stable by the time the torma arrives.

Why are yours so expensive?

You can find cheaper tormas—on Etsy, Potala Gate, Garchen Store, Dharma Treasures, even Amazon, and more. Many of those tormas are made in Nepal by skilled people who probably make about $5 a day. Those are attractive, appropriate, wood carved tormas. For my part, I live in Colorado, am largely retired from full time work, and have living expenses consistent with this part of the world. I’ve done torma projects in which—because I failed to properly estimate for time and materials—I did not even get close to minimum wage. I am no longer willing or able to do that.

So, why pay more? It may be helpful to know that tormas vary a lot based on the specific deity practice, the line of transmission one has received, even the original monastery where that specific branch of the tradition evolved and was practiced. A particular torma with specific features—shapes, colors, ornaments, retinue, proportions, and so forth—will be specified. If you want a torma for your practice that meets those specifications you’ll need a custom-made torma. That’s what I do—I custom make tormas for your practice and they are very time consuming to make. Details and correct forms matter.  To get a torma consistent with the requirements of your practice, get in touch and we’ll work it out. All that above is why i charge what i do and thank you for your understanding.

Where can I find a cheaper torma?

As mentioned above, there are a number of online shops selling much cheaper tormas. Just google it.

Can I return a torma if I don’t like it?

Well, no. If a torma is damaged in shipping, I always insure a shipment and have never had to make a claim. But if there is a problem of one sort or another, I’ll fix it. We’ll work that out. This rarely happens. I make these on commission and I am not able to take a torma back since there is no customer waiting to buy it.

Can I make my own torma?

Sure. In fact, in retreat when we would get all worried about what torma was needed for a practice, if the details of it were unclear in our materials, and we were afraid of doing a bad job of it—Lama Tashi who was training us said, approximately, “Don’t worry about that. If you do your best that’s fine.”  In other words, at core it’s largely your attitude that matters.

If you can make a decent torma offering of tsampa, butter, or Play Dough, and food coloring, and get it mostly right--it’s OK. Do that. If you cant muster that, go buy a pound cake you like and offer that. In that case something delicious to you is a good offering. But don’t eat it. At conclusion, offer the torma outside and the Jnanasattvas will come and collect it disguised as squirrels, birds, and mice.

I don’t want to undercut my business, but in terms of accumulating merit, I think a sincere effort at making your own torma is probably better than buying one. But please do consider buying one. Thanks.

Is there a substitute for having one of these formal, elaborate tormas?

Yes. See the above two or three questions. You can buy an inexpensive torma, make one (which is not everyone’s cup of tea), or go out and buy a pie, cake, or cookies to offer, etc.

What exactly is a torma?

Often Western commentators refer to tormas as “ritual cakes.” This is a superficial take on the subject, bordering on misunderstanding. Tormas can be made of barley, butter, and so on. A very few are made to be eaten by the practitioner in feast (ganachakra) practice and would qualify as sort of a cake. But mostly they are shrine objects and many are permanent, made of durable non-food materials.

Regarding the etymology of the term, the Tibetan word "torma" has two parts. The first syllable "tor" is a verb that means to throw out, and tormas made of barley are placed outside at the conclusion of a practice session—literally thrown or offered outside. Though permanent tormas remain on one’s shrine and are part of the sadhana ritual, tormas made of barley flour, butter and other ingredients are also a part of the ritual and eventually are placed outdoors as an act of making offering, and of generosity. Such an offering may be a gesture on the part of the practitioner to benefit beings, or to a world of unseen forces that one wishes to influence, purify, and even to control.

The second syllable of the word torma, "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 toward all beings, much as a mother feels love for her children. So, with the first syllable one severs attachment to self-centeredness—an act of generosity and self-awareness. Having removed that obstacle, with the second syllable one may radiate love and sympathy to others. The entire offering takes place with an attitude of loving kindness.

Some tormas are specifically offering tormas, offered for the benefit of sentient beings and other purposes, and are associated with the path of accumulation of merit and the perspective associated with the sutrayana—the gradual path. Some tormas are representational—actually representing the transcendent deity—and those are more closely associated with the accumulation of wisdom, or the approach of the tantrayana—the sudden or immediate path. Torma offering in one’s practice can have real depth and complexity. The preceding is oversimplified, but hopefully it is accurate and clarifying.

Who first invented tormas?

Well, of course I have no idea who invented tormas. Having said that, the making of offerings of all sorts is prevalent in pretty much all varieties of religion and spiritual practice. The practice of torma offering similar to what we do may have originated in the Indian tantra, coming to Tibet probably 1500 years ago, where it was progressively formalized in the monastic system. Most likely it was Hindu in origin, was co-opted by the Buddhists, and who knows what the origins of Hinduism might be. Torma-like objects are offered in the indigenous Tibetan Bon religion, and I have seen carefully made objects offered in Native American ceremonies. The practices of indigenous human spirituality reach back into our collective prehistory and I think it’s safe to say, the practice of making offering is ancient.

How do you package and ship these?

I package them well. I double-box the tormas and use packing material to immobilize the object within the two layers of boxing. I generally use the US Postal Service as they are the most reasonably priced, can ship anywhere, and I have had no problems with them. Sometimes someone is off-grid and can only get reliable delivery through FedEx or UPS. I work with the recipient to figure out what’s the best service to use. I charge for shipping in addition to the fee for the torma.

How long does it take you to make one?

Depending on the torma and whether it’s individual or a set of tormas, two to four weeks. We will discuss that.

Why are there so many types and shapes of tormas?

Good question. As mentioned above, tormas vary tremendously based on the practice, the line of transmission one has received, and even the monastery where the branch of the tradition originated. Perhaps within the sadhana, and likely within the commentarial tradition, the particular features of the required torma will be specified. You can find many drawings of specific tormas in the Kagyu Library, easily found online.

What’s inside a torma?

The materials for permanent tormas, for non-edible tormas of tsampa and butter, and edible tsok tormas have already been discussed. Permanent tormas will have tordze, meaning torma substance, inserted. I have never been able to learn what exactly is in tordze but its intent is to confer blessing and a sort of empowerment to the torma. I always place a small piece in a torma. Additionally a mantra, often painted with saffron water, rolled tightly and covered with a tiny piece of silk or satin fabric, tied with a thread, is also placed inside the torma.  

Why is there a small dot on the back of each of these tormas?

I wondered that myself and asked Lama Tashi that question in retreat. He said, “That’s so that the deity that the torma is for know it’s for them.”  Now, with respect, in a way that doesn’t make any sense because the dot on the backs of many different tormas are all the same. But, that’s what he said. He also said, “You place a dot on the back of all tormas with ornaments (butter circles) except gektors.” Well, who knew?

What do I do with an old broken torma?

Is it fixable? If not, as I have been instructed in the traditional approach, to retire a torma either offer it on a mountain side where no one walks, or into flowing water. In the modern world that might be regarded as litter or illegal disposal of waste in a waterway. This is something you will have to work out. It seems important to dispose of a spent torma with respect.  

Can I glue my torma together?

If an ornament falls off you can glue it back on and I recommend white glue (Alleen’s is good, but Elmer’s will do it). A nontoxic water-based glue is best. Avoid things like super glue, epoxy, model glue, etc. These have some toxicity and may react with some of the other materials used to make the torma, and you just might get a bad result. Do not glue the posts that mount the circular ornaments into the body of the torma. The end of the wooden piece will eventually get broken off inside the torma body and that’s a problem.