Laba Rice Porridge Festival 臘八節(jié)

第一頁：臘八節(jié)
第二頁：有關(guān)臘八節(jié)的傳說(1)
第三頁：有關(guān)臘八節(jié)的傳說(2)
第四頁：臘八粥的做法 

Laba rice porridge was first introduced to China in the Song Dynasty about 900 years ago.

Buddhism was well accepted in the areas inhabited by the Han Chinese, who believed that Sakyamuni, the first Buddha and founder of the religion, attained enlightenment on the eighth day of the twelfth month. Sutras were chanted in the temples and rice porridge with beans, nuts and dried fruit was prepared for the Buddha. With the passing of time the custom extended, especially in rural areas where peasants would pray for a plentiful harvest in this way.

There is, however, another touching story: When Sakyamuni was on his way into the high mountains in his quest for understanding and enlightenment, he grew tired and hungry. Exhausted from days of walking, he fainted away by a river in India. A shepherdess found him there and fed him her lunch -- porridge made with beans and rice. Sakyamuni was thus able to continue his journey.

After six years of strict discipline, he finally realized his dream of full enlightenment on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. Ever since, monks have prepared rice porridge on the eve and held a ceremony the following day, during which they chant sutras and offer porridge to Buddha. Thus, the tradition of eating Laba porridge was based in religion, though with the passing of time the food itself became a popular winter dish especially in cold northern China.

According to written records, large Buddhist temples would offer Laba rice porridge to the poor to show their faith to Buddha. In the Ming Dynasty about 500 years ago, it became such a holy food that emperors would offer it to their officials during festivals. As it gained favor in the feudal upper class, it also quickly became popular throughout the country.

臘八粥在大約900年前的宋代首次引入中國。

在漢族人居住的地區(qū)，佛教被廣泛地接受，人們相信第一個(gè)佛和佛教的創(chuàng)始人釋迦牟尼在第十二個(gè)月的第八天得到了啟發(fā)。佛經(jīng)在寺廟了被吟誦，含豆、堅(jiān)果和干果的粥用來供奉佛主。隨著時(shí)間的推移，這個(gè)風(fēng)俗擴(kuò)展開了，尤其是在鄉(xiāng)村地區(qū)，農(nóng)民們以這種方式祈禱好的收成。

然而，還有一個(gè)動(dòng)人的故事：當(dāng)釋迦牟尼在通向他尋求領(lǐng)悟和啟發(fā)的高山的路上，他又累又餓。由于幾天的行走而產(chǎn)生的疲憊，他在印度的一條河邊暈倒。一個(gè)牧羊女發(fā)現(xiàn)了她并喂他午飯，飯是由豆和米做成的粥。于是，釋迦牟尼能夠繼續(xù)他的旅程。

經(jīng)過六年嚴(yán)格的修行，他最終于十二月的第八天實(shí)現(xiàn)了他完全啟發(fā)的夢想。從那時(shí)到現(xiàn)在，僧侶們在前日準(zhǔn)備米粥，在第二天舉行儀式，在此期間，他們吟誦佛經(jīng)，并為佛祖供奉米粥。因而，吃臘八粥的傳統(tǒng)是以宗教基于宗教的，可是，隨著時(shí)間的推移，這種食物本身尤其是在寒冷的北方成為受歡迎的冬季食物。

根據(jù)文字記錄，大的佛教寺廟會為窮人提供臘八粥，以表達(dá)他們對佛祖的虔誠。在大約500年前的明代，臘八粥成為如此神圣的食品，以至皇帝在節(jié)日期間向他的官員們提供。由于臘八粥在封建社會的上層階級中得寵，它也很快在全國流行。