According to legend, Laba Festival is the day when the Buddha became a monk. Buddhist temples should imitate the story of shepherdess offering minced meat, take eight kinds of torreya grandis and fruits, and cook porridge for the Buddha, hence the name eight-treasure porridge. Laba porridge is simple to make, rich in nutrition and sweet in taste. In the Song Dynasty, people followed suit, spread widely and became popular among the people.

The eighth day of the twelfth lunar month is regarded by the Buddhist community as the day when the Buddha realizes. Monks and nuns in the temple often cook "eight-treasure porridge" with eight kinds of food, such as glutinous rice, sesame seeds, coix seed, longan, red dates, mushrooms and lotus seeds, and invite the surrounding villagers to attend the Eucharist and give alms to the people of all ages to show their respect for the Buddha. Later, it gradually became a folk self-cooked eight-treasure porridge (called Laba porridge). The custom of eating laba porridge.

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Efficacy and function of eight-treasure porridge

The porridge cooked with whole grains is nutritious and rich in dietary fiber. For the elderly or patients with loose teeth, drinking more porridge can prevent minor illnesses and is the best prescription for health care. For people with sore throat and painful speech, warm porridge juice can moisten the throat and effectively relieve discomfort.