Torma is an offering gift in Tibetan Buddhism. The Tormas we make on Torma night are used in our main shrine room and presented to the local protector deities by being flung into the garden at appropriate moments during our chants.
These are made from barley flour dough and butter. The central pinacle represents Mount Meru - the centre of the Buddhist cosmos and the four points on the base represent the four continents - one of which is our home - Jambudvipa. Hence we offer up the whole universe for the benefit of practicing Dharma.
When sticking the continents onto Mount Meru it is important to get them on the right way up - with a flat side on the top - otherwise all the people are liable to fall off. It also makes the job of building Ikea even more difficult for the people of Jambudvipa.
Here are some images of a recent Torma night
Choshin looks very pleased with himself. Did you make all those? No - thought not. Nice pinny though!
Continents are carefully molded
Tsultrim puts the finishing touches to Jambudvipa
Hmm.. this one might need some structural underpinning
Here's one I made earlier - I'm sooo proud
Serri, Kalsang, Tenzin and Jinpa make butter wheels in iced water to stop them melting
Dechen adds a butter glaze before the butter wheels are added
Rows of finished Torma ready for the freezer until their eventual use - the squirrels love 'em!
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