Torma is the first feature-length documentary about the sacred ritual art of tormas. It covers their complex history, rich symbolism, and important function in the practice of Tibetan Buddhism while showcasing the artistic creations of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje. Illuminating Vajrayana Buddhism through the…
DEFINITION OF TORMAS Why is this film necessary and important? What makes it intriguing? Butter sculpture is a colorful, luminous, and complex art form that is unique to Tibetan Buddhist culture. It has many parallels with the sand mandala but so far, very little…
The Torma Film DVD, complete with 2 hours of bonus interview material, is available for purchase now at Namse Bangdzo Bookstore and Amazon.com.
The following article by Karma Phuntsho is from the Mandala Collections website hosted by the University of Virginia, and is an excellent overview and explanation of tormas. Karma Phuntsho is the President of the Loden Foundation and the author of many books and articles including The History…
IN MANY CULTURES, SCULPTED BUTTER is an artistic medium, whether as a banquet-hall spectacle or an exhibit at the county fair. But for Tibetan Buddhist monks and laity, artistic butter designs, known as torma or tsepdro, take on a spiritual role.Traditionally made using yak…
This article was written for the online magazine: LEVEKUNST art of life, a lovely new site created by Erik Pema Kunsang and his wife, Tara Trinley Wangmo. By Yeshe Wangmo; Photos © Filip Wolak. Many ritual practices in Tibetan Buddhism require the use of sacred offerings called torma. In Tibet, these…