Laba Festival and Shaolin Temple

[GeneChing]

Shaolin Temple offers benedictional Laba congee to visitors (http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90782/7258263.html)
11:17, January 12, 2011

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China's Shaolin Temple in Henan Province offers free benedictional Laba congee to visitors on Jan. 11, 2011, the Laba Festival, which is also the date of the Sakyamuni Buddha's enlightenment. (Photo: chinanews.com)

China's Shaolin Temple in Henan Province offered the benedictional Laba congee to visitors on Jan. 11, 2011, which is the day of the Laba Festival according to the Chinese lunar calendar.

The Laba Festival, which falls on the eighth day of the 12th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, commemorates the date of Sakyamuni Buddha's enlightenment. The tradition of eating Laba congee is believed to bring good fortune.

By Ye Xin, People's Daily Online


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China's Shaolin Temple in Henan Province offers free benedictional Laba congee to visitors on Jan. 11, 2011, the Laba Festival, which is also the date of the Sakyamuni Buddha's enlightenment. (Photo: chinanews.com)
Laba is fresh rice boiled to a porridge, with some fruits and nuts.

[GeneChing]

More on the Laba Fest (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1072161#post1072161). Good to know that Shaolin can keep the peace when feeding the hungry. :rolleyes:

The real essence of Laba Festival (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2013-01/23/content_16158901.htm)
Updated: 2013-01-23 07:23
( China Daily)

Chinese people celebrate Laba Festival, which fell on Jan 19 this year, by eating rice porridge. Since it is originally a Buddhist festival, Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, distributed more than 300,000 plates of rice porridge among the people for free. But such free offerings can also lead to chaos, says an article on gmw.cn. Excerpts:

Chinese people have traditionally eaten rice porridge on Laba Festival. But the "fight" for "free porridge" in a relatively rich province raises some serious questions.

The temple's offering was meant for people who cannot afford it, and it invited inmates of local orphanages and welfare houses, as well as poor people and tourists, to enjoy the free rice porridge.

But many ordinary citizens also turned up to get the porridge because they were either too lazy to make them at home or because they just wanted a free helping of the traditional dish. And their disorderly behavior at the temple created a chaos.

Laba Festival is not only for eating rice porridge, but also to reflect on Buddha's enlightenment. It is believed that Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, meditated under the bodhi tree for six years, after which a shepherdess passing by offered him some food. He sat under the tree for another seven days before attaining enlightenment. Therefore, enlightenment and helping people in trouble are the real essence of the festival.

The Lingyin Temple event, however, saw many middle-class and well-off people fighting for the free porridge, reflecting the desperation of some people in China to save every possible penny.

What comes as a comfort, though, is that free porridge was also distributed by Shaolin Temple in Henan province and Huayan Temple in Chongqing, but without any disturbance. It's time people realized that "free" offerings do not mean chaos and ensured that the Hangzhou incident was an exception rather than the rule.

[GeneChing]

More on Laba here (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?48602-Shaolin-Temple-amp-Buddhism&p=1072161#post1072161) and here (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?48602-Shaolin-Temple-amp-Buddhism&p=1207249#post1207249).


Shaolin Temple considers applying for Laba porridge as intangible cultural heritage (http://www.ecns.cn/cns-wire/2015/01-27/152488.shtml)
2015-01-27 17:19 Ecns.cn Web Editor: Mo Hong'e

(ECNS) -- Shi Yongxin, Shaolin abbot, said the temple may consider applying for porridge served during Laba Festival to be added as an intangible cultural heritage, dahe.cn reported on Tuesday.

Shi disclosed the idea while giving away porridge to the temple's followers and citizens on January 27th. The festival, also called Buddha Purnima, falls on the eighth day of the 12th lunar month and marks the day when Shakyamuni was enlightened or became the Buddha.

At 9am, Shi and his fellow monks started to offer hot Laba congee, a type of porridge, to people waiting outside. Before 10am, 20,000 bowls had been distributed.

This is the seventh year since the Shaolin Temple resumed its tradition of offering porridge during the festival. The activity is held to benefit followers of Buddhism and to pray for the happiness of the common people, the abbot explained.

Shaolin Temple has a history of over one thousand years of distributing porridge for free.

Laba congee enjoys such a wide reputation that the Shaolin Temple will apply for it to become a national cultural heritage, it was added.

Abbot Shi also expressed a wish that Laba festival would become a public holiday during which the tradition of drinking a bowl of congee and praying for good health and happiness could be passed down.

[GeneChing]

Laba time (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?48602-Shaolin-Temple-amp-Buddhism&p=1280242#post1280242) again.


People get free Laba porridge at Shaolin Temple in central China (1/2)
2017-01-06 13:49Xinhua Editor:Xu Shanshan

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People get free Laba porridge at the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, central China's Henan Province, Jan. 5, 2017. The Laba Festival, a traditional Chinese festival on the eighth day of the 12th lunar month, fell on Jan. 5 this year. It's customary on this day to eat a special Laba porridge, usually made with at least eight ingredients, representing people's prayers for harvest. Many temples have the tradition of offering porridge to the public. (Xinhua/Feng Dapeng)

[GeneChing]

I'm copying all the Laba Festival posts off the Shaolin Temple & Buddhism (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?48602-Shaolin-Temple-amp-Buddhism) thread into an indie Laba Festival and Shaolin Temple (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70665-Laba-Festival-and-Shaolin-Temple)thread since this comes up every year now.


Chinese temples give out free porridge on Laba Festival (http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-01/24/c_136921055.htm)
Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-24 15:53:49|Editor: Liangyu

BEIJING, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Buddhist temples across China gave out free porridge Wednesday to celebrate the Laba Festival.

"Laba" literally means the eighth day of the 12th lunar month. The Laba Festival is considered a prelude to the Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 16 this year.

The Laba Festival is an important holiday in Buddhism. Many temples offer porridge to the public to commemorate the Buddha and deliver his blessings.

Laba porridge is made from glutinous rice, red beans, millet, Chinese sorghum, peas, dried lotus seeds, red beans and other ingredients.

In Beijing, people began to line up for porridge at 3 a.m. at Yonghegong Lama Temple. Elderly residents said they wanted to take a portion for their children because it will bring health and good luck for the coming year.

Monks at Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province, prepared 300,000 servings of Laba porridge, using 50 tonnes of ingredients. More than 200 volunteers helped hand out the porridge to homes of the elderly, elementary schools and members of the public on Wednesday.

"We selected the best ingredients. The peanuts should all be red-skinned and the ginkgo should be fresh. We began preparation a month ago," said Master Shengwen at the Lingyin temple.

Chefs at Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu in Henan Province, used a specially concocted herbal brew to cook the porridge. The temple also drew a large crowd on Wednesday.

Ci'en Temple in Shenyang, capital of Liaoning Province, brought thousands of servings of Laba porridge to sanitation workers. Calligraphers also inscribed couplets for the people.

[GeneChing]

Have a bowl of Laba porridge in Laba Festival (http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1086506.shtml)
Source:Xinhua Published: 2018/1/25 8:46:29

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Monks prepare to make Laba porridge at the Daleiyin Temple in Lushan County of Pingdingshan City, central China's Henan Province, Jan. 23, 2018. The Chinese people have the tradition to eat a special porridge to greet the Laba Festival on the eighth day of the 12th lunar month, which fell on Jan. 24 this year. The Laba porridge is usually made with at least eight ingredients, representing people's prayers for harvest. (Xinhua/Feng Dapeng)

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A monk makes Laba porridge at the Daleiyin Temple in Lushan County of Pingdingshan City, central China's Henan Province, Jan. 23, 2018. The Chinese people have the tradition to eat a special porridge to greet the Laba Festival on the eighth day of the 12th lunar month, which fell on Jan. 24 this year. The Laba porridge is usually made with at least eight ingredients, representing people's prayers for harvest. (Xinhua/Feng Dapeng)

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A man makes Laba porridge at the Daleiyin Temple in Lushan County of Pingdingshan City, central China's Henan Province, Jan. 23, 2018. The Chinese people have the tradition to eat a special porridge to greet the Laba Festival on the eighth day of the 12th lunar month, which fell on Jan. 24 this year. The Laba porridge is usually made with at least eight ingredients, representing people's prayers for harvest. (Xinhua/Feng Dapeng)

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Monks of Shaolin Temple distribute Laba porridge to tourists in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, Jan. 24, 2018. The Chinese people have the tradition to eat a special porridge to greet the Laba Festival on the eighth day of the 12th lunar month, which fell on Jan. 24 this year. The Laba porridge is usually made with at least eight ingredients, representing people's prayers for harvest. (Xinhua/Li An)

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Monks of Shaolin Temple distribute Laba porridge to tourists in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, Jan. 24, 2018. The Chinese people have the tradition to eat a special porridge to greet the Laba Festival on the eighth day of the 12th lunar month, which fell on Jan. 24 this year. The Laba porridge is usually made with at least eight ingredients, representing people's prayers for harvest. (Xinhua/Li An)

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A man prepares to make Laba porridge at the Shaolin Temple in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, Jan. 24, 2018. The Chinese people have the tradition to eat a special porridge to greet the Laba Festival on the eighth day of the 12th lunar month, which fell on Jan. 24 this year. The Laba porridge is usually made with at least eight ingredients, representing people's prayers for harvest. (Xinhua/Li An)

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Children eat Laba porridge at Xuanzang Temple in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 24, 2018. The Chinese people have the tradition to eat a special porridge to greet the Laba Festival on the eighth day of the 12th lunar month, which fell on Jan. 24 this year. The Laba porridge is usually made with at least eight ingredients, representing people's prayers for harvest. (Xinhua/Sun Can)

It's nice to see Shaolin Temple shown like the other Buddhist temples, with no obligatory Kung Fu poses.

[GeneChing]

"100 years of distributing porridge for free" :cool:


Shaolin Temple shares porridge on Laba Festival (http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201801/25/WS5a695318a3106e7dcc1368b4_1.html)
chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2018-01-25 11:46

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Different kinds of foodstuff are prepared to make Laba congee in the Shaolin Temple. [Photo/VCG]

The Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng of Henan province distributed free porridge to celebrate the Laba Festival on Wednesday. Shaolin Temple has a history of over 100 years of distributing porridge for free, which is held to benefit followers of Buddhism and to pray for the happiness of the common people.

During the Laba Festival, which fell on Jan 24 this year, ancestors are worshipped, Laba congee is eaten and Laba garlic is made.

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A monk makes Laba congee in the Shaolin Temple, Dengfeng city, Henan province, Jan 24, 2018. [Photo/VCG]

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A ceremony is held before distributing free porridge in the Shaolin Temple, Dengfeng city, Henan province, Jan 24, 2018. [Photo/VCG]

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Monks carry containers with porridge inside in the Shaolin Temple, Dengfeng city, Henan province, Jan 24, 2018. [Photo/VCG]

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A foreigner gets a bowl of Laba congee in the Shaolin Temple, Dengfeng city, Henan province, Jan 24, 2018. [Photo/VCG]

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Monks from the Shaolin Temple give out Laba congee in Dengfeng city, Henan province, Jan 24, 2018. [Photo/VCG]

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Monks from the Shaolin Temple give out Laba congee in Dengfeng city, Henan province, Jan 24, 2018. [Photo/VCG]

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A man gets a bowl of Laba congee in the Shaolin Temple, Dengfeng city, Henan province, Jan 24, 2018. [Photo/VCG]

[GeneChing]

Shaolin Temple hands out free Laba congee(1/13) (http://www.ecns.cn/hd/2019-01-14/detail-ifzcpxvf8626230.shtml)
2019-01-14 10:39:02Ecns.cn Editor :Li Yan
查看原图 View the list of pictures

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Shi Yongxin, the abbot at the Shaolin Temple, hands out Laba congee to visitors from across the country at an event taking place in front of the temple's Shaolin Medicine health unit, Jan. 13, 2019. The congee was cooked according to a traditional recipe and included five types of beans as well as more than 20 minor ingredients. Buddhist temples across China have started handing out free Laba congee, a special meal served during the Laba Festival, which falls on the eighth day of the 12th lunar month and ushers in China's Lunar New Year celebrations. (Photo: China News Service/Han Zhangyun)

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Visitors share Laba congee handed out for free during an event taking place in front of the temple's Shaolin Medicine health unit, Jan. 13, 2019. The congee was cooked according to a traditional recipe and included five types of beans as well as more than 20 minor ingredients. Buddhist temples across China have started handing out free Laba congee, a special meal served during the Laba Festival, which falls on the eighth day of the 12th lunar month and ushers in China's Lunar New Year celebrations. (Photo: China News Service/Han Zhangyun)


There are 12 pix in the gallery above - I only cut&pasted 2.

It's good to see one of the Shaolin Centers outside of China observe this too.


Shaolin Temple to give free 'Laba congee' on Sunday (https://www.richmond-news.com/community/shaolin-temple-to-give-free-laba-congee-on-sunday-1.23595806)
Richmond News
JANUARY 13, 2019 07:00 AM

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Shaolin masters teach kung fu and meditation for free at the centre. File photo

To celebrate the Laba Festival, The Shaolin Temple Cultural Centre in Richmond will give away free Laba congee today.

The Laba Festival is a major Buddhist holiday celebrated on the eight day of the lunar calendar in December and the consumption of Laba congee is an important element of the festival.

The congee is mainly made up of many kinds of rice, beans, peanuts, dried fruit and lotus seeds.

"We hope to celebrate this traditional festival with everyone here in Richmond and to give back to the community," said a volunteer at the centre.

"The congee aims to bring good luck, happiness and health to people."

The Laba congee will be given away at the centre at 12080 Bridgeport Rd from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 13.