What are tormas? Are they food? Sculptures? Sacred objects? Tormas are ritual objects made of flour, butter, and decorative materials used in Tibetan Buddhist and other Asian religious traditions. They can function as offerings, protective objects, and receptacles for divine presence – often all at once. Some sit high on the altar near icons of buddhas and enlightened deities, and some rest on offering tables alongside flowers, incense, and lamps. At the end of the Buddhist worship ceremony, some tormas are placed outside for wildlife and microorganisms to consume. Swipe through to see examples of different tormas, along with an artistic depiction from the Rubin’s collection. The time needed to create a torma varies based on size and intricacy. As we approach Losar, or Tibetan New Year, we’ll be sharing how a Tibetan Buddhist Lama creates a torma from start to finish. Follow along! 🎥 Still from video by Jess Y Lee 📷 Alamy _______ Detail of Wrathful Offerings; Mongolia; 19th c...