Tröma gÇod Gar’cham

Tröma gÇod Gar’cham

the wrathful mother who slays fixation with identity

Khandro Déchen is performing the wrathful gar’cham of Tröma Nakmo. This is a dance which walks in the four directions, wielding the grigug (cleaver) which is Dorje Naljorma made manifest as the perfect vajra weapon for decapitating the dud-zhi, or four demon neuroses: territorialism, aggression, obsession and paranoia. For the purposes of this enactment, Tröma Nakmo manifests as trülku emanating from Dorje Naljorma which is her long-ku manifestation, spontaneously arising from Kuntuzangmo. As the long-ku manifestation of Tröma Nakmo, Dorje Naljorma is recognised as being the quality of all her activity, which is in part represented by the grigug.

Watching Khandro Déchen perform this dance one cannot help but notice the decisive and vigorous movements of the grigug. As the blade slashes through the air, the person dancing will see neurosis being eviscerated by the perfect feminine weapon. Just like Tröma Nakmo, the gar’cham is performed precisely, decisively and swiftly. Her movements are powerful and direct. She never hesitates but acts instinctively in the pure realm of non-dual awareness which is the foundation and display of the five elements.