BuddhismwaswellacceptedintheareasinhabitedbytheHanChinese,whobelievedthatSakyamunithefirstBuddhaandfounderofthereligion,attainedenlightenmentontheeighthdayofthetwelfthmonth.Sutraswerechantedinthetemplesandriceporridgewithbeans,nutsanddriedfruitwaspreparedfortheBuddha.Withthepassingoftimethecustomextended,especiallyinruralareaswherepeasantswouldprayforaplentifulharvestinthisway.
Thereis,however,anothertouchingstory:WhenSakyamuniwasonhiswayintothehighmountainsinhisquestforunderstandingandenlightenment,hegrewtiredandhungry.Exhaustedfromdaysofwalking,hefaintedawaybyariverinIndia.Ashepherdessfoundhimthereandfedhimherlunch--porridgemadewithbeansandrice.Sakyamuniwasthusabletocontinuehisjourney.