The eighth day of the twelfth lunar month marks the enlightenment of Sakyamuni Buddha, known in Buddhism as the “Dharma Day.” To commemorate this significant occasion, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) temples worldwide prepare and distribute Laba congee (enlightenment porridge) to neighbors and the community, sharing the joy of the Buddha’s enlightenment and praying for wisdom and blessings for all.
To celebrate Dharma Day, FGS Chicago and the BLIA Chicago Chapter organized a series of activities from January 1 to 2, 2020. These included the first-ever Laba congee cooking competition, a book sharing session on Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s work “I Am Not a ‘Dependent’ Monk,” and the distribution of congee. Over the two days, 425 bowls of congee were shared with members and the local community, receiving enthusiastic feedback.
The cooking competition featured 13 teams, including couples, parent-child duos, and friends. Despite the Chicago cold, volunteers arrived early to prepare fresh ingredients such as peanuts, lotus seeds, tofu, ginkgo nuts, vegetables, and carrots. This traditional dish represents the “delicate flavor of the Dharma.”
Head Priest Venerable Jue Lin guided the participants on the specific FGS method for cooking Laba congee. She explained that ingredients like soybeans, peanuts, and lotus seeds must be cooked until they melt in the mouth. All elements should harmonize like instruments in an orchestra, resulting in a smooth texture where no “hard” pieces remain, yet the distinct flavors of tofu or peanuts can still be enjoyed.
During the 90-minute competition, teams poured their heart into their cooking, creating a unique New Year memory. The entries were judged by Venerable Jue Lin, Venerable You Heng, Chapter President Mai-Ping Chou, and Kitchen Group Leader Li-er Wang, followed by a tasting and vote by the audience. The judges were pleasantly surprised by how the same ingredients could produce such a diverse array of flavors through different levels of care and blending.
As the participants enjoyed the congee, they also engaged in a study session of Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s book, “I Am Not a ‘Dependent’ Monk.” The book reflects on a pivotal letter the Master received 70 years ago, which stated: “We Buddhist youth should let ‘Buddhism rely on me,’ not ‘I rely on Buddhism’.” This philosophy deeply influenced the founding of FGS. The event concluded with the hope that more residents will visit the temple in the coming years to taste this auspicious congee and start their year with peace and happiness.