Origin of the Laba Porridge:
The 8th day of the twelfth month in the lunar calendar, is the day when Sakyamuni Buddha attained full enlightenment. After years of strict ascetic practice, he was down to skin and bones, but still unable to realize awakening. It was only after consuming an offering of porridge from a shepherd girl that the Buddha was able to regain the energy necessary to attain enlightenment. Therefore, it is a tradition to eat porridge on this day to commemorate the Buddha’s enlightenment.
