It is taught that offering torma is a powerful means of clearing away obstacles and cultivating non-attachment and impartiality. Learning about sacred offerings this time of year can also make our holiday giving a more beneficial practice of generosity.
We’ll spend the morning together making torma, or offering cakes. Fundamentals of torma-making will be covered as well as specific instructions on how to make shalze and kartors.
First, we’ll work on making good dough, which can be a challenge! Then we’ll shape our tormas and coat them in butter. Finally, our focus turns to gyens, the simple butter ornaments that adorn our tormas. Throughout the session, there will be plenty of time for questions and individual help.
By the end of the workshop, we’ll each have perhaps a week or more of tormas to offer on our shrines. You’ll also want to prepare some space in your freezer or refrigerator to store your torma.
This is a hands-on workshop, and no experience is necessary to participate. Be aware that you will be working with wet oats and butter in various stages of melting. This process can be messy!
In order to participate, you will need the following:
A clean, flat surface on which to work (minimum 2’x2′)
Two 64oz boxes of plain quick oats (the 1-minute variety, not whole oats. One box will work, but you may want a backup if your first batch of dough does not come out well.)
Four sticks of butter
Vegetable oil
One large mixing bowl
One medium mixing bowl
A tray (two is best, but one will work)
A small paint brush, roughly 1” (available on Amazon for <$5)
A mask (any COVID mask you’ve been using is fine)
Ice
Anyone is welcome to attend, and there is no homework or preparatory study required.
If you have any questions in advance of the workshop, email Lama Adam at lamaadam@columbusktc.org.
[wpi_designer_button text=’Register Online’ link=’https://www.eventbrite.com/e/torma-talk-holiday-edition-tickets-215086969917′ target=’self’]
ABOUT TICKETS: Tickets are available through EventBrite.
Attendance will be by donation, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Columbus KTC Rebuilding Fund. In order to register using Eventbrite, you will need to make a donation of $1 or more.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE financial means, or have difficulty registering online, please write lamaadam@columbusktc.org and he will register you at no cost.
Students must have an internet connection, email capability, and download the Zoom application in order to attend. Zoom software is available here: https://zoom.us
