Hello All,
I'm making tormas for chod practice, and am looking for a source for the blessed substance tor-dzey in Europe. (There are sometimes problems with customs when ordering from the US.) I found this one in Portugal, but they have sold out. https://tibetanmeditation.shop/en/practice-and-shrine/tormas/substance-for-tormas-torje-tor-zey/?add-to-cart=8598

Does anyone know of a supplier in Europe?

Thanks!

Still

High in the mountains of Tibet, the secluded convent of Gebchak is home to women devoted to some of Tibetan Buddhism’s most demanding spiritual practices.

Here, nuns meditate in caves, practice dream yoga, endure freezing temperatures, and train in the Yoga of Inner Heat, drying soaked cotton sheets through the heat of their own bodies. Their ultimate spiritual aspiration is the mysterious Body of Light, believed to mark liberation from the cycle of reincarnation.

Guided by the wandering nun Ani, this journey enters a hidden world where extreme physical discipline, meditation and centuries-old beliefs remain part of everyday life.

Documentary: Tibet, the path to Wisdom Directed by: Hamid Sadar Production: DCMP, Les Gens Biens Productions

Source: https://youtu.be/eOzztTKKzlc

I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts, knowledge about this. I have experience with the 5 BF and some curiosity about the 5CE. I'm surprised that they don't quite seem to align.

Further, there are different systems of each. For example, Vajra and Buddha families are sometimes reversed. Animals and colors can vary. With the 5CE it's even more extreme, with seemingly endless explanations and symbols of each element.

Yet it seems that such basic systems, underlying everything from tantra to feng shui to medicine humours, manifesting in two contiguous areas, must have some kind of common basis.

The closest I can come is wood/karma, water/vajra, fire/padma, earth/ratna, metal/buddha, with C5E perhaps putting earth/ratna at the center while 5BF puts metal/buddha at the center, thus altering qualities... Thoughts?

Based on his surviving poetry, was the Indian siddha Saraha a theist (or more accurately, a panentheist)? In his songs, he mentions that the one God is revealed across various scriptures and refers to the ultimate truth as Parameśvara—a term typical of Shaivism. It feels quite unusual for a Buddhist mahasiddha to frame non-duality using explicitly theistic language.

I am a monk apprentice in japan. I am learning what its like to be an American to becoming a Japanese Monk. If you want to fallow and help me with Japanese Culture and Buddhism i would appreciate your support. https://youtube.com/@kaiyuusmonkjourney?si=rYThY9M0p8f9od_y

I’m disabled and I’m 70 years old. I’m doing Nundro. I have a qualified teacher. So, I can’t prostrate. I can get down but I can’t get up once I’m there. I’ve been given permission to do circumnabulations instead. That’s fine of course but there’s something that gets lost when I walk. I don’t have that feeling of devotion and surrender that I get when I prostrate. I got a rowing machine to help me develop my strength again and as I was rowing the other day it occurred to me that a complete rowing sequence is sort of like a prostration. I tried experimenting to see if I could do the recitations as I rowed and found I could do a full row sequence with each 1/2 recitation. So in essence I’m doing two rowing sequences for the full recitation sequence. Usually you do one prostration for the full recitation sequence. I’m doing two rowing prostrations to the one recitation sequence. The rowing machine keeps track of my rows and I just divide it in two when I’m done for the number of prostration rows with recitation. I don’t want to cheat. I keep the visualizations going while I’m rowing everyone is prostrating along with me. Rowing is a workout for me so I’m exerting myself the way I would if I was doing regular prostrations. I’m going to talk to my Lama about it when I get the chance. What do you think? This is a way for me to feel like I worked for it and that’s important to me. It certainly isn’t traditional and so that is something too. I would appreciate your feedback. Please be kind! 🙏❤️🙏

Image1 Drashi Temple/Monastery incense packaging.

Image2/3 Size comparison with Tashi Lhunpo 25cm incense sticks & packaging!

Image4/5 Drashi Lhamo statue(wrathful) & image(peaceful).

Sticks smell good with a Light Earthy Sandalwood Fragrance, due to the thinness of the sticks they're not as overpowering as the more floral/fruity Tashi Lhunpo 25cm sticks.

The Drashi Temple is near Sera Monastery

As a dharma protector/wealth deity, if one practices with sincerity, besides wealth one may also gain blessings of health, longevity, safety and peace, and auspiciousness. She also protects travelers.

The legend of Drashi Lhamo

It is said she was once a beautiful, young, and kind-hearted Chinese woman, beloved by Emperor Qianlong, his most cherished consort. Her beauty and goodness, however, provoked jealousy that led to her tragic death.

After being murdered, she refused to leave. Reflecting on her fate despite her goodness, resentment overcame her purity. Seeking justice, she roamed the palace, filling hearts with fear.

When Emperor Qianlong learned of this, he invited Gelug Lama Jampa Mönlam the 17th abbot of Tibet’s Sera Monastery to console the spirit and calm the people.

The lama arrived and saw a woman weeping on a beam. Speaking with her, he learned she was a murdered consort, unwilling to depart until justice was done.

The lama explained the truth to the emperor, who, in great anger, punished the culprits and requested the lama to deliver her spirit from suffering.

Afterward, as the lama returned to Tibet, the spirit of the consort followed him. When asked why, she said, “My heart is kind. With your guidance, I wish to take refuge in the Buddha and attain liberation.”

The lama replied, “This journey is long and difficult for a woman alone.”

But no matter his persuasion, she would not leave. Seeing her steadfast faith, he agreed. Nearing Lhasa, he told her, “That monastery is for monks. You cannot enter, but I will build you a residence here where people may make offerings to you. Would that be acceptable?”

She happily agreed and remained at a minor of Sera, the so-called Drashi Temple.

The lama then made her statue and residence, giving her the responsibility of protecting the land, naming her Drashi Lhamo.

Thus, Drashi Lhamo became a devoted guardian and earnest practitioner of the Buddha-dharma.

This legend of Drashi Lhamo is most wondrous.

She was poisoned and became a ghost.

She was subdued by a great lama and turned wholeheartedly toward the Buddha.

In the end, she became both a dharma protector and a wealth deity.

There are many legends of Drashi Lhamo. Some say she is a Tibetan dharma protector.

Some say she is an emanation of Sridevi (Lakshmi).

Others say she is the incarnation of Rajinima Xunnu.

Still others say she is the wrathful form of Sarasvati.

but the tale of Emperor Qianlong’s consort is the most legendary.

Regardless, her miraculous power is famous. Her reputation spread widely, and devotees flock endlessly to worship her.

In recent times Drashi Lhamo has become very popular with Gelupas in Tibet as many have turned to her as a protector & wealth deity, after HH14DL requested/prohibited the practice of a certain wordly deity!

Best Wishes & Great Attainments!

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

A Kathmandu

Question in title.

In the eight offerings to the Buddha, what should we do with the Naividya (food offering) after making the offering?

Should we consume it as blessed food, leave it outside for animals or spirits, bury it, or dispose of it in some other appropriate way?

Can someone share a good step-by-step guide or video for making tormas?

I’m also looking for some simple torma designs for Tara, Amitābha Buddha, and Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava).

I’m really not an artist, so I’m hoping to find something simple that I can actually make, but still looks beautiful and appropriate to offer.

Even basic designs or beginner-friendly tutorials would be really helpful.