Dharma Day Sharing of Eight Treasure Porridge

In order to celebrate Dharma Day on 8th January, Eight Treasure Porridges were prepared by dedicated kitchen volunteers under the guidance of venerables since the early hours of dawn. Through the day, the Dining Hall received a flow of over 1000 visitors, which included many locals, devotees and BLIA members, to savour these delicious cuisines. Takeaway packed porridges were also gifted to neighbours, local businesses and the local media. Everybody shared a piece of joy and auspiciousness that day.

The Dharma Day is celebrated on the 8th day of the Chinese lunar month. It signifies Sakyamuni Buddha’s day of Enlightenment. At the time, Buddha was emaciated from 6 years of ascetic practice. While passing the River Ganges, the Buddha received an offering of rice milk from a shepherd girl. This allowed the Buddha recover enough strength to enter Meditative Concentration under the bodhi tree and obtain Ultimate Complete Awakening. In order to commemorate this significant event, people emulated the shepherd girl’s offering by cooking Eight Treasure Porridges. This dish possesses many characteristics including warmth, harmonious taste, nutritious, convenient, joy giving, and simplicity. It is hoped that those who have savoured this dish will receive good affinities with others, joyfulness, peace, fortune and wisdom.

It is the Fo Guang Shan tradition to offer Eight Treasure Porridge to the public. In the process, the Temple wishes everyone can experience the Buddha’s wisdom amid Dharma joy, and to remember kind contributions from the volunteers that made this happen.