Torma Display and Demonstration
by monks from Jamchen Lhakhang Monastery Nepal
was held @ Esplanade Singapore 15-17 April 2011
I liked the explanation given in the brochure:
Tormas, made of barley flour, brightly decorated with coloured butter and shaped according to rituals requirements, are sacrificial cake-offering in Tibetan Buddhism. These beautiful sculptural cakes are imbued with much symbolic meaning, and are offered to various spiritual entities from the protectors of Buddhist law, who are said to shield all sentient beings from malignant forces, to the bodhisattvas that delay their own enlightenment in order to help others along the same path. For the Tibetans, the practice of offering tormas is an important aspect in the generation of merit towards their journey to enlightenment.
The word torma - the first syllable, tor, is a verb that means to throw out: Tormas are placed outside as a gesture of making offering - a gesture of generosity. Almost invariably it can also be scattered for eating by birds and animals after the ceremony, and occasionally be consumed during the ritual. In an inner sense, the notion of throwing out can be understood as severing attachment to the desirable things. That is, cutting through entrapment in desire. It may also be thought of as throwing out kleshas - severance of conditioned emotional reactions that cause suffering.
The second syllable, ma, is a feminine ending. It evokes the maternal, a nurturing quality. Understanding the true meaning of this simple syllable is a means of cultivating loving kindness for all beings much as a mother feels love for her children. So, in a way, with the first syllable one severs attachment to self-centeredness. Having cut that, with the second syllable one radiates love and sympathy to others. This is the inner sense of offering torma.
by monks from Jamchen Lhakhang Monastery Nepal
was held @ Esplanade Singapore 15-17 April 2011
I liked the explanation given in the brochure:
Tormas, made of barley flour, brightly decorated with coloured butter and shaped according to rituals requirements, are sacrificial cake-offering in Tibetan Buddhism. These beautiful sculptural cakes are imbued with much symbolic meaning, and are offered to various spiritual entities from the protectors of Buddhist law, who are said to shield all sentient beings from malignant forces, to the bodhisattvas that delay their own enlightenment in order to help others along the same path. For the Tibetans, the practice of offering tormas is an important aspect in the generation of merit towards their journey to enlightenment.
The word torma - the first syllable, tor, is a verb that means to throw out: Tormas are placed outside as a gesture of making offering - a gesture of generosity. Almost invariably it can also be scattered for eating by birds and animals after the ceremony, and occasionally be consumed during the ritual. In an inner sense, the notion of throwing out can be understood as severing attachment to the desirable things. That is, cutting through entrapment in desire. It may also be thought of as throwing out kleshas - severance of conditioned emotional reactions that cause suffering.
The second syllable, ma, is a feminine ending. It evokes the maternal, a nurturing quality. Understanding the true meaning of this simple syllable is a means of cultivating loving kindness for all beings much as a mother feels love for her children. So, in a way, with the first syllable one severs attachment to self-centeredness. Having cut that, with the second syllable one radiates love and sympathy to others. This is the inner sense of offering torma.
No comments:
Post a Comment