Laba Festival
Date:Laba Festival is held on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month every year.
Overview:Laba Festival, also known as “Laba Festival” or “Laba”, is one of the traditional Chinese festivals, marking the beginning of people’s preparations for the arrival of the new year. The main custom of Laba Festival is to drink Laba porridge, and it is also the “Buddha’s Enlightenment Day” in Buddhism, which has important religious and folk significance.
Origin of Laba Festival
The origin of Laba Festival can be traced back to the pre-Qin period, when people performed “Laba Festival” in the twelfth lunar month to thank the gods of heaven and earth and pray for a good harvest in the coming year. After the Han Dynasty, Laba Festival gradually integrated into Buddhist culture and became a festival to commemorate the enlightenment of Sakyamuni Buddha.
The tradition of Laba porridge was first seen in the Song Dynasty, when people began to cook Laba porridge with various grains and nuts to celebrate Laba Festival. This custom continues to this day and has become the most well-known symbol of Laba Festival.
Main customs of Laba Festival
- Drinking Laba Porridge:Laba Porridge is a porridge made of various grains, beans and nuts, which symbolizes harvest and reunion. The taste and ingredients of Laba Porridge in different regions vary, but they all carry people’s good expectations for life.
- Laba Garlic:In some northern regions, people soak garlic in vinegar during Laba Festival to make it green, which means to drive away the cold and keep warm. These Laba garlics are often used for seasoning and are also a symbol of the New Year.
- La Festival:Laba Festival was first related to La Festival. People worship their ancestors and gods on this day to express their gratitude.
- Drinking Laba Wine:In some regions, Laba Wine is brewed on Laba Festival, made with glutinous rice, red dates and osmanthus, and then consumed during the Spring Festival.
- Pray for blessings:Laba Festival is an important festival for Buddhists. Many people will go to temples to pray for blessings and participate in almsgiving activities on this day to commemorate the Buddha’s enlightenment.
The cultural significance of Laba Festival
Laba Festival is an important part of the traditional culture of the Chinese nation. It is not only a time for worship and gratitude in the farming society, but also an important node for the spread of Buddhist culture. Through activities such as drinking Laba porridge and Laba Festival, Laba Festival closely links family, community and religious emotions.
Today’s Laba Festival not only continues traditional customs, but also gives it modern meaning. People cook porridge with their families and share Laba food to enhance family affection and friendship, adding a festive atmosphere to the arrival of the New Year.
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