据说在释迦牟尼成佛之前，曾经修苦行多年，饿得骨瘦如柴，决定不再苦行。这时遇见一个牧女，送他乳糜食用。他吃了乳糜，恢复了体力，便端坐在菩提树下入定，于十二月八日成道。夏历以十二月为腊月，所以十二月八日称作腊八。中国汉族地区，将这一天作为释迦牟尼的成道日，于是腊八成了佛教节日。佛教传入我国后，各地兴建寺院，煮粥敬佛的活动也随之盛行起来，尤其是到了腊月初八，祭祀释迦牟尼修行成道之日，各寺院都要举行诵经，并效法佛成道前牧女献乳糜的传说故事，用香谷和果实等造粥供佛，名为腊八粥。这便是腊八粥的来历。

Laba rice porridge was first introduced to China in the Song Dynasty about 900 years ago.
腊八粥在大约900年前的宋代首次引入中国。

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.
在汉族人居住的地区，佛教被广泛地接受，人们相信第一个佛和佛教的创始人释迦牟尼在第十二个月的第八天得到了启发。佛经在寺庙了被吟诵，含豆、坚果和干果的粥用来供奉佛主。随着时间的推移，这个风俗扩展开了，尤其是在乡村地区，农民们以这种方式祈祷好的收成。

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.
然而，还有一个动人的故事：当释迦牟尼在通向他寻求领悟和启发的高山的路上，他又累又饿。由于几天的行走而产生的疲惫，他在印度的一条河边晕倒。一个牧羊女发现了她并喂他午饭，饭是由豆和米做成的粥。于是，释迦牟尼能够继续他的旅程。

After six years of strict discipline, he finally realized his dream of full enlightenment on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. Ever since, monks have prepared rice porridge on the eve and held a ceremony the following day, during which they chant sutras and offer porridge to Buddha. Thus, the tradition of eating Laba porridge was based in religion, though with the passing of time the food itself became a popular winter dish especially in cold northern China.
经过六年严格的修行，他最终于十二月的第八天实现了他完全启发的梦想。从那时到现在，僧侣们在前日准备米粥，在第二天举行仪式，在此期间，他们吟诵佛经，并为佛祖供奉米粥。因而，吃腊八粥的传统是以宗教基于宗教的，可是，随着时间的推移，这种食物本身尤其是在寒冷的北方成为受欢迎的冬季食物。

According to written records, large Buddhist temples would offer Laba rice porridge to the poor to show their faith to Buddha. In the Ming Dynasty about 500 years ago, it became such a holy food that emperors would offer it to their officials during festivals. As it gained favor in the feudal upper class, it also quickly became popular throughout the country.
根据文字记录，大的佛教寺庙会为穷人提供腊八粥，以表达他们对佛祖的虔诚。在大约500年前的明代，腊八粥成为如此神圣的食品，以至皇帝在节日期间向他的官员们提供。由于腊八粥在封建社会的上层阶级中得宠，它也很快在全国流行。