Mahayana Temple is celebrating the Laba Festival, the eighth day of the 12th lunar calendar, to commemorate the enlightenment of the Budda. We will make free rice congee offerings at the Laba Festival, aiming to bring happiness, luck, and health to the public.
The 12th lunar month is called ‘La’ in Chinese and eight is pronounced ‘ba’, which is how the name ‘Laba’ was derived. It is not only regarded as a day of sacrifices to their ancestors and praying for peace and health in the coming year, but also the day on which Sakyamuni realized the truth and became a Buddha. Therefore, Laba is one of the important Buddhist festivals.
Eating Laba Congee which is also known as “Buddha Congee” is an important tradition associated with the Laba Festival. Buddhist temples celebrate the day by distributing free Laba porridge to the public, in return for their almsgiving and offering. Celebration was held in order to pass on the traditional folk custom, and also to commemorate a shepherdess who offered rice porridge with milk, enabling him to attain enlightenment and became Buddha.
For more information, please contact us via info@mahayana.us or follow us at
-Wechat ‘纽约大乘寺’
-Instagram/Facebook ‘Mahayana Temple’.