Today is December 28, the sixth day of the twelfth lunar month, and there are two days left before our traditional festival - Laba Festival.
Laba Festival
The origin of Laba
Laba is not only a well-known festival among the people, but in fact, in Buddhism, Laba is also a relatively grand festival.
Legend has it that Sakyamuni practiced hard for many years and became emaciated and exposed. He discovered that hard work was not the way to become a Buddha. When he was about to give up his practice, a female donor gave him a bowl of chylo. After regaining his strength, Sakyamuni became a Buddha under the Bodhi tree on December 8.
Sakyamuni
Later, in order to commemorate this event, Buddhists designated this day as Laba, and cooked a mixture of rice and fruits to serve to the Buddha on this day.
This is the origin of Laba.
Food Collection of Laba Festival
On the day of Laba, everyone will stew all kinds of rice and beans until soft, then add sugar and enjoy them together. Generally speaking, Laba porridge in different regions is made of different materials.
In Shandong, there are lotus seeds, peanuts, chestnuts, barley, etc. There is also a kind in Shandong that is made of cabbage, meat slices, tofu and rice.
Laba porridge
Gansu is made from grains and vegetables. In some areas, there is also lentil rice, also called Laba rice .
Laba rice rice
Beijing's Laba rice porridge is top-notch. Its quality lies in the rich ingredients used. In addition to grains, it also adds pine nuts, , grapes, ginkgo , green and red silk, , roses, etc. There can be more than ten kinds of ingredients at most. It must be cooked overnight the day before to make it.
In addition to Laba porridge, Laba garlic Different regions also have their own unique delicacies.
For example, in Anhui, every household will dry tofu that day. This kind of slightly yellow tofu with a good taste is called "Laba Tofu".
Laba Tofu
Tofu made from high-quality soybeans is cut into squares, wiped with salt water and dried, and the middle is hollowed out and put with salt. Under the irradiation of the sun, it gradually loses moisture and becomes "Laba Tofu" with a slightly yellow surface and a salty-sweet taste.
In northern Shaanxi, on the day of the Laba Festival, Laba noodles are made. The leek leaf noodles are made by mixing the noodles with various beans. The red beans are boiled to make the juice. Green onion oil is poured into the leek leaves noodles soaked in red bean water. The fragrance is fragrant for a while.
Laba noodles
In Xining, there is no such thing as Laba porridge, they have wheat kernel rice. Fresh wheat kernels, beef and mutton are mixed and steamed, and various seasonings are added to create an alluring aroma. Legend has it that the chylo that Gautama Buddha ate was actually wheat kernel rice.
Hemei Laba Festival
Since the Laba Festival, people gradually began to enter the state of busy year . In addition to following the habits passed down by their ancestors, people make various delicacies. In fact, it is also a yearning for a better life and a sense of ritual in life.
Nowadays, people are busy with work and study, and a year has passed in a hurry. In fact, we should slow down, spend a peaceful holiday with our family, and experience the warmth and happiness of family.
Conclusion
Laba Festival is also the author’s mother’s birthday. I wish my mother good health and all the best, always smiling, less worry and more happiness~
