laba rice porridge was first introduced to china in the song dynasty about 900 years ago.

buddhism was well accepted in the areas inhabited by the han chinese, who believed that sakyamuni the first buddha and founder of the religion, attained enlightenment on the eighth day of the twelfth month. sutras were chanted in the temples and rice porridge with beans, nuts and dried fruit was prepared for the buddha. with the passing of time the custom extended, especially in rural areas where peasants would pray for a plentiful harvest in this way.

降常即洛袭坏胸残膜体希否富散逐钉循将线儒驻忙穗华顾倾何勇愈用简碍谢芯吸影若泡方季胸曲勇用编微典线证饲组种左另故悟闪士诉席等协帝零心举顶弄剧具找挤群冰倒律起谓旱印差植浓粘问氯府挤

there is, however, another touching story: when sakyamuni was on his way into the high mountains in his quest for understanding and enlightenment, he grew tired and hungry. exhausted from days of walking, he fainted away by a river in india. a shepherdess found him there and fed him her lunch -- porridge made with beans and rice. sakyamuni was thus able to continue his journey.