There is an external goma fire ritual where one prays by building a fire in the gomadan (an altar for the fire ceremony) in which offerings and subsequently the gomaki (wood for ritual burning) are thrown, and an internal goma fire ritual where one regards oneself as the gomadan itself which is lit by the fire of the Buddha's prajna (wisdom) in order to burn away bonno (earthly desires) and karma (sins).
護摩壇に火を点じ、火中に供物を投じ、ついで護摩木を投じて祈願する外護摩と、自分自身を壇にみたて、仏の智慧の火で自分の心の中にある煩悩や業に火をつけ焼き払う内護摩とがある。