This film documents a Buddhist ritual practice conducted in the home of the filmmaker’s family in an Eastern Tibetan region of China. The practice involves creating elaborate decorated sculptures out of dough, which are known in Tibetan as torma. In this film, these are offered as food for non-human spirits who may otherwise harm people or animals of the household. Enticing harmful spirits away from the house, monks and lay participants work together to create good fortune for the family in the coming year.
Filmed entirely in Tibetan regions of China.
Director: Wendekar
Cinematographer: Wendekar
Subtitles: Wendekar and Andrew Erlich
Creative and Executive Producer: Frances Garrett
Length: 18:52 minutes
Funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Tibetan and Himalayan Library