Torma, Gtor-ma, Tormā: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Torma means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: Rigpa Shedra: WikiTorma refers to a “ritual cake”, usually hand-moulded from butter and tsampa (roasted barley flour) and coloured with dyes, which can symbolize a deity, a mandala, an offering, or even a weapon. More ‘permanent’ Tormas (Tibetan: གཏོར་མ་, gtor ma; Sanskrit: Bali) can be made of clay or plasticine, to which small amounts of edible substances such as düdtsi are added when they are made. Tormas are usually ornamented with kargyen, 'white ornament', which are disc-like decorations of the sun and moon, four-petalled flowers, lotus bases and dissolving-point shapes known as nada.
Kunkyen Tenpe Nyima gives a brief overview of different kinds of tormas in his General Notes on the Rituals of the Development Stage:
- shrine torma (rten gtor),
- perpetual torma (rtag gtor),
- sadhana torma (sgrub gtor) or offering torma (mchod gtor),
- mending torma,
- captured torma (gta' gtor),
- session torma (thun gtor) or daily torma (rgyun gtor).
If you want to take a more elaborate approach, visualize the shrine torma (rten gtor) as the deity and maintain the visualization for as long as you render offerings to it. The perpetual torma (rtag gtor) is kept for a specific duration of months or years. The sādhana torma, (sgrub gtor) also called the offering torma (mchod gtor), is offered and received by the deities as a gift. As a means to delight them, mending tormas serve as an offering substance symbolizing sense pleasures and enjoyments. The captured torma (gta' gtor) is kept until an activity is accomplished, after which it is to be offered. The purpose of this torma is to ensure that an activity is accomplished swiftly and without delay. The session torma (thun gtor), also called the daily torma (rgyun gtor), is given occasionally in order to enjoin certain temporary activities. A simple renunciant practitioner may also make these tormas using simply the best portions of his or her own food and drink.
Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
Languages of India and abroad
Nepali dictionary
Source: unoes: Nepali-English DictionaryTormā (तोर्मा):—n. a kind of dish prepared from boiled rice or parched wheat mixed in honey;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Ma.
Relevant text
Search found 4 books and stories containing Torma, Gtor-ma, Tormā; (plurals include: Tormas, mas, Tormās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Guhyagarbha Tantra (with Commentary) (by Gyurme Dorje)
Introduction: Overview of the Mantras of Buddha-Speech < [Chapter 16 (Text and Commentary)]
Text 11.14 (Commentary) < [Chapter 11 (Text and Commentary)]
Text 16.8 (Commentary) < [Chapter 16 (Text and Commentary)]
Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po) (by George N. Roerich)
Chapter 8 - Later Lineages (vi): The three sons of dpyan snga dpal chen < [Book 12 - Peace-Making Lineages]
Chapter 15c-f - Great and Middle Disciples of Gtsang pa rgya ras < [Book 8 - The famous Dakpo Kagyü (traditions)]
Chapter 13 - Staglungpa (vi): sangs rgyas yar byon < [Book 8 - The famous Dakpo Kagyü (traditions)]
The Great Chariot (by Longchenpa)
Part 3a.3 - The conduct accompanying that < [B. The explanation of meditation practice, together with its action of ripening and freeing]
Part 6 - The three aspects that are always to be trained in to take advantage of the opportunity < [B. the extensive explanation of arousing bodhicitta]
Part 3a.2 - The divisions of root and branch samayas < [B. The explanation of meditation practice, together with its action of ripening and freeing]
The Way of the White Clouds (by Anāgarika Lāma Govinda)
Chapter 3 - The Monastery of Yi-Gah Chö-Ling < [Part 1 - Three Visions]