LegendabouttheoriginofthisfestivityaboundsOnemaintainsthatover3,000yearsagosacrificialriteswereheldinthetwelfthlunarmonthwhenpeopleoffereduptheirpreytothegodsofheavenandearth.TheChinesecharactersforthehuntandthetwelfthmonth(lieandla)wereinterchangeablethen,andeversincelahasbeenusedtorefertoboth.Sincethefestivalwasheldontheeighthdayofthelastmonth,peoplelaterappendedthenumbereighth(bainChinese),givingusthecurrentlaba.
BuddhismwaswellacceptedintheareasinhabitedHanChinese,whobelievedthatSakyamuni,thefirstBuddhaandfounderofthereligion,attainedenlightenmenton12/8.Sutraswerechantedinthetemplesandriceporridgewithbeans,nutsanddriedfruitwaspreparedfortheBuddha.Withtimethecustomextended,especiallyinruralareaswherepeasantswouldprayforaplentifulharvestinthisway.