Gods’ MEALS
Art is an infinite form of expression. Torma Art is showing one of its forms of expression of Buddhist religion. Torma art belongs to the Great Five Arts of God’s religion, and it is the art of decorating the torma, which is the meal of gods. It is made with goat fat mixed with some butter and oil. The color in these is added on from dry paint. As it is a meal of gods, it is fully made of edible products.
The art sculptures were made by Luvsandandar, torma artist of the Amarbayasgalant Monastery. Through this Torma-art exhibition, he aimed to contribute to the spread of religious culture by informing the public about the characteristics and functions of Torma sacrificial art. In 1997, he became a student of Luvsansamdan Lama in Amarbayasgalant Monastery, which was built for the Saint Zanabazar by the order of the King Enkh Amgalan of Manchu. From 2014, he studied the art of Torma offering, which is one of the five great teachings of Buddhism, and went to Switzerland, Italy, China, Nepal, Russia, and other countries to spread the art of Torma offering.
One of the earliest tales of how the first torma came to be an offering is Jungua lama of Sera Monastery, who had a pure heart, had a dream one night where a deity told him that he would become his meal and that he would die soon. After he woke up, he talked with the deity. The deity responded that there is power in chanting a mantra and that he should offer a torma as it symbolizes long life and that he should make this offering while chanting a mantra.
The difference between regular sculpture making and torma sculpture making is that, when working with goat fat, you must dip your hands in cold water and shape the figures in the water so as not to melt the sculpture and disrupt its figure.
The torma sculptures come in many shapes, sizes, and colors depending on the use. It is said that offering torma is a virtuous act of generosity and symbolizes the release of attachment to objects and negative emotions. This torma had colors of white, red, blue, green, orange, and yellow. It was interesting to see how these were connected to the god. They all had different meanings and related to the god in its own form and shapes. They were each dedicated to one god specifically and had different Sanskrit letter on it for the god. For example, Bumban Barimjaa sculpture has hum letter on it which defines Mijiddorj God.
I had no words to say on how a sculpture had so much belief in it. People came in from miles away to see the god and the figurine. It is truly awing how much even an oil sculpture could hold such power over people. They were bowing and chanting mantras for a happier and better life. This is truly a show of hope that keeps us moving and surviving.
I believe you should come regardless of your religion and check out the beautiful and powerful art. It is located on the first floor of Bluemon tower at Norphei art gallery. It will be held until May 30.