The Enlightenment Day of Shakyamuni Buddha and the Laba Festival

Introduction

The Laba Festival, celebrated on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, is an important occasion in Buddhist culture. It marks the day when Shakyamuni, also known as Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. This day not only symbolizes the Buddha's awakening but also brings the tradition of the Laba porridge, a dish with deep spiritual and health benefits.

The Buddha's Enlightenment and the Origins of the Laba Festival

According to Buddhist scriptures, when Siddhartha Gautama was 29 years old, he became deeply moved by the suffering inherent in human life—birth, aging, illness, and death. In search of a way to transcend this suffering, he abandoned his royal life and set out on a spiritual journey.

After six years of extreme asceticism, he was close to death, living on nothing but rice and seeds. At this point, two women, Nandana and Boro, who were cowherds by the Nila River, offered him a bowl of nourishing rice porridge. Accepting their offering, Siddhartha made a vow: "By eating this food, I will regain strength, keep my wisdom intact, and eventually attain enlightenment to benefit all beings."

With his strength restored, Siddhartha continued his journey towards enlightenment. He sat under the Bodhi tree, vowing not to rise until he had attained the supreme wisdom. After 49 days of deep meditation, Siddhartha realized the truth of existence and achieved enlightenment, becoming the Buddha, or "The Awakened One." On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, a brilliant star rose in the east, signifying the Buddha's awakening. He saw the true nature of life—impermanent, unchanging, and free from all attachment—and became free from suffering and delusion.

To commemorate this remarkable day, Buddhist temples hold ceremonies on Laba every year, offering "Laba porridge" to the Buddha in tribute to his enlightenment. This tradition has continued for centuries, becoming an essential part of the Laba Festival.

Recipe of the Laba Porridge

✨Ingredients:
Rice, glutinous rice, red beans, green beans, black beans, coix seeds, lotus seeds, red dates, longan, peanuts, rock sugar, goji berries (feel free to adjust the amount and types of ingredients based on your personal preference)

✨Steps:

1. The night before, wash the red beans, green beans, black beans, coix seeds, lotus seeds, and peanuts. Soak them in clean water to help them soften during cooking.
2. The next day, rinse the rice and glutinous rice thoroughly. Add them along with the soaked ingredients into a pot. Add the appropriate amount of water. Bring to a boil on high heat, then reduce to a simmer.
3. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. After about 30 minutes, add the red dates and longan. Continue simmering for another 15 minutes, by which time the porridge will begin to thicken.
4. Add rock sugar and adjust sweetness according to your taste. Continue simmering for another 5-10 minutes until the sugar completely dissolves.
5. Finally, sprinkle goji berries on top and simmer for another 2-3 minutes before serving.

Ten Benefits of Laba Porridge 

The Laba Festival is not only a day to remember the Buddha's enlightenment but also a time to nurture the body and accumulate merit. Laba porridge is a special dish offered during this time, and its significance goes beyond just a religious ritual; it holds numerous health benefits as well.

In Buddhist teachings, Laba porridge is said to provide ten benefits:

1. Improves complexion: Eating porridge nourishes the body and gives a healthy, radiant glow.
2. Increases strength: Porridge helps replenish energy and strengthens the body.
3. Promotes longevity: It replenishes vital nutrients and contributes to a longer life.
4. Brings peace and happiness: Porridge promotes a calm, peaceful body and mind, allowing one to experience true happiness.
5. Enhances speech: It moistens the throat, helping to improve clarity and eloquence in speech.
6. Eliminates cold: Porridge helps balance the body’s internal energy, removing cold and discomfort.
7. Aids digestion: It warms the stomach and helps digest any accumulated food, making digestion smoother.
8. Clears breath: Eating porridge helps the breath flow smoothly, keeping the voice clear and energetic.
9. Relieves hunger: Porridge quickly fills the stomach, alleviating hunger.
10. Quenches thirst: It moistens the mouth and throat, helping to relieve dryness and thirst.

Therefore, Laba porridge is not just a gesture of gratitude to the Buddha but also a nourishing, wholesome food that benefits the body and mind.

Offering Lamps and Prayers: A Light That Never Dies

Laba is a time for reflection, gratitude, and prayer. Many Buddhist temples light thousands of lamps during the festival, symbolizing the wisdom and light of the Buddha’s teachings. A lamp represents wisdom, and lighting it signifies awakening the wisdom within ourselves and others.

In The Path of Flowers Blooming by Khenpo Sherab Zangpo Rinpoche, he writes:
“Buddha’s realization of the true nature of life is like a lamp in the long night, lighting the path of liberation for countless practitioners. Over 2,500 years ago, when the Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, we were wandering somewhere, unaware of the opportunity to follow him, learn, reflect, and experience his teachings. For over two thousand years, because of our arrogance, confusion, stubbornness, attachments, and fear, we have repeatedly missed the opportunity to awaken. Yet despite our narrow-mindedness and neglect, there are still those who carry the wisdom of the Buddha’s lamp, waiting in the endless night to illuminate our path forward.”

Buddha’s wisdom shines like a light in the darkness, illuminating the path to liberation. Though we may have missed the chance to follow the Buddha’s teachings in the past, his wisdom remains a guiding light, leading us out of ignorance and suffering. By lighting a lamp, we awaken the wisdom within ourselves and share that light with others, dispelling darkness and guiding ourselves toward enlightenment.

Conclusion

Laba Festival is more than just a religious celebration—it embodies gratitude, spiritual practice, healing, and prayer. On this day, through offering Laba porridge and lighting lamps, we not only commemorate the Buddha’s enlightenment but also nourish ourselves both physically and spiritually. May this Laba Festival bring us all greater wisdom and merit, allowing us to experience the Buddha’s teachings in our own lives and walk the path of light and peace.

Related articles:

Understanding Enlightenment in Buddhism

Key Figures in Mahayana Buddhism: Amitabha Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha, and Avalokiteshvara