Notes on Longchen Nyingtik Tormas

Clarificatory Notes on the Tormas of the Heart-Essence of the Vast Expanse

by Jigme Lingpa[1]

Supremely unchanging great bliss
And emptiness endowed with the supreme of all qualities,
Whose union appears as the naturally arisen vajra-kāya—[2]
To the guru, lord of all maṇḍalas, I pay homage!

Here I have written a few clarifications on how to make the tormas, based on the oral tradition, illuminating whatever is not clear in the main texts. This has two parts.

1. The Sādhanas

For the practice of Guru Pūjā and the Innermost Secret Guru Practice and other practices, make a round, red torma with four lotus petals.

The Inner Practice, Rigdzin Düpa (Gathering of Vidyādharas)

On the lowest of three red tiers, place a number of thumb-sized tormas (tebkyu), which symbolize the retinue in general. On the middle tier, twenty-five jewels (norbu) made of butter symbolize the twenty-five disciples. On the upper tier, eight yellow jewel corners symbolize the Eight Vidyādharas.

Above these are sun and moon-disk seats, symbolizing the generation of the wisdom of bliss and emptiness. Upon them, a beautifully coloured, four-petalled lotus signifies being unsullied by the faults of saṃsāra. In its centre is a resplendent, round torma, red in colour.

Yumka Dechen Gyalmo, The Female Practice of the Queen of Great Bliss

Upon a crossed dharmodaya, with the point of the upper triangle pointing towards the front, is a red Glorious Torma[3] with a beautifully coloured, four-petalled lotus. On the spaces in between are thumb-sized tormas and pills.

Siṃhamukhā, The Secret Practice

In the centre of the Dharmodaya, which is the same as above, is the Glorious Torma. On the six corners are the six hybrid spirits of the retinue,[4] similar in appearance to the main deity, and red in colour. Surrounding them are the thirty-two ḍākinīs, represented by thumb-sized tormas of equal number.

Palchen Düpa, The Heart Practice of the Gathering of Awesome Ones

There are three red tiers, which symbolize that the three realms have been subjugated. On the lower two tiers, many thumb-sized tormas symbolize the 725 deities. On the top tier, eight blue spokes symbolize the eight awesome deities of the retinue. Upon that are sun and moon-disk seats, symbolizing the indivisibility of skilful means and wisdom. Above that is a beautifully coloured lotus with four petals, which symbolizes the consort Sky-Faced Lady,[5] in the centre of which is the majestic, Glorious Torma.

Yamāntaka Outshining the Lord of Death 

On the middle section of a red Glorious Torma, carve a double triangle (tramri). There are eight red triangular tormas which illustrate the eight emanated gyenön deities of the retinue, with as many thumb-sized tormas as the number of deities.

Hayagrīva's Play of the Three Realms

A red Glorious Torma and six tormas similar in shape as the main deity, which illustrate the six Golama deities of the retinue. They are surrounded by many thumb-sized tormas.

Viśuddha (Yangdak), Union of the Buddhas

A red, crescent-shaped Glorious Torma with a double triangle (tramri). Around it are eight tormas similar in shape to the main torma, symbolizing the retinue of the eight gaurī, with many thumb-sized tormas.

Vajrakīlaya Overpowering the Forces Of Mara

A red Glorious Torma is accompanied by fifteen tormas similar in shape, symbolizing the retinue of the Five Supreme Sons and the Ten Wrathful Ones, and surrounded by thumb-sized tormas.

The Secret Practice, Dukhngal Rangdrol (The Great Compassionate One, Natural Liberation of Suffering)

A beautifully coloured, four-petalled lotus with a yellow ovary,[6] which symbolizes the magnetizing goddess Kurukullā. In its centre is a sun-disk, the red aspect, which symbolizes Mārīcī. Upon that is a green treasure vase which symbolizes Vasudhārā. Upon that is a moon-disk, the white element, symbolizing Ārya Tārā. On top of that is a round, white torma ornamented with lotuses.

Takhyung Barwa (The Blazing Wrathful Guru, Hayagrīva and Garuḍa)

A red Glorious Torma with a four-petalled lotus.

The Peaceful and Wrathful Deities Which Empty the Lower Realms

On the foundation of three red tiers, on the first level, in each direction there are seven red Glorious Tormas with double triangles (driri),[7] which symbolize the twenty-eight īśvarīs.

On the lower tier there are thumb-sized tormas and white pills that symbolize the remaining peaceful deities. On the middle tier there are red, thumb-sized tormas. On top of the upper tier there is a yellow jewel with eight corners, symbolizing the eight bodhisattvas. Upon that are eight blue spokes which symbolize the heruka maṇḍala. Upon that are sun and moon-disk seats which symbolize the indivisibility of appearance and emptiness. Upon that is a beautifully coloured, four-petalled lotus that symbolizes the four buddha families. In its centre is a round, red torma adorned with wheels, representing the two main deities, who symbolize basic space and wisdom.

As for the ornaments of the tormas of the Three Roots, for the peaceful deities there are the ‘patra’ designs, and for the wrathful deities the fire mountains. For both, in the centre of the heap of lotus flowers are their respective insignia and implements, exquisitely ornate and beautiful.

2. The Dharma Protectors

Magön Chamdral (The Principal Protectors and their Vajra Brothers and Sisters)

The principal female protector is represented by the red Glorious Torma. On her right is Gonpo Maning in the form of a triangular torma with double triangles (driri). On her left is the oath-bound Vajrasādhu[8] in the form of a triangular torma marked by a raven’s head. Behind her is the sage Rāhula in the form of a triangular torma coiling clockwise. In the front is the Durtrö Lhamo in the form of a triangular torma. Around them are the seventy-five glorious protectors represented by thumb-sized tormas. They are all red in colour.

The Great Demon Za Rāhula

The main torma is triangular and coils clockwise. Around him are the eight Za, similar to him in shape, represented by eight thumb-sized tormas. At the peak of the torma are human corpses and streamers of flesh. All the tormas are adorned with fire mountains and white ornaments in the form of eyes.

The Permanent Torma of Tseringma

Upon a green palace with a red roof is the main deity in the form of a blazing jewel. In the four directions are the four sisters in the form of four white, heart-shaped tormas (drangye) marked by jewels. The foundation is surrounded by a ring of snow mountains, inside of which is a pleasure grove. Appropriate substances and various forms are painted on reliefs. In the back are arrows with silken scarfs, and so on.

For the offering torma, upon a vase, place a round torma, white in colour. In the four directions are four white, round tormas, and between them are thumb-sized tormas with pills.

The Covenant

A red, triangular torma with a double triangle (driri). On the three sides are three thumb-sized tormas stacked upon one another.

The Tenma Goddesses

A triangular torma with the front painted black. The right side is red and the left is white. In front of each side are three thumb-sized ornaments with matching colours, stacked one upon the other.

Preliminary Torma

The preliminary torma is white, round and has four petals. Surrounding it are fist-tormas (changbu), on whose fronts are thumb-sized tormas with a pill.

Although it is difficult to stipulate such things precisely, still, I, the subject Abhāyadhīkāśa,[9] have written a few clarifications, which are nothing but the exact words of the supreme lord of refuge, the sole eye of this world, whose speech is the great vajra melody that is like nectar for the ears and whose feet I respectfully place on the crown of my head. May it benefit others!

| Translated by Han Kop and edited by Barry Cohen for the Longchen Nyingtik Project, 2024. With gratitude to Lama Pema Wangchen from Mindrolling.

Bibliography

Tibetan Edition Used

'Jigs med gling pa. "klong chen snying thig gi gtor ma'i reg zig gsal ba", in klong chen snying thig rtsa pod. New Delhi: Shechen Publications, 1994. Vol. 3: 601–606.

Version: 1.1-20241017