Lzh Mu Bi Pm Np 22Out-of-Season Robe Cloth
Pāli / Sanskrit:Akālacīvara
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EXPOSITION OF THE SUTRA ON OUT-OF-SEASON ROBES (AKĀLACĪVARA)
Context
The Sutra on Out-of-Season Robes (Akālacīvara) is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the traditional Theravāda Buddhist Dharma, especially in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha. This sutra concerns one of the disciplinary regulations in the community of monks and nuns related to the use of robes (cīvara), one of the three essential requisites of renunciants.
Akālacīvara means “robe out of season” or “robe at an improper time,” referring to bhikkhus using or storing robe-cloth outside the prescribed period. This rule arose from specific situations in the community of monks and nuns, when bhikkhus attempted to store excessive robe-cloth or failed to observe the time limitations set forth by the Buddha.
Main Content
The Akālacīvara Sutra stipulates that bhikkhus are not permitted to keep cut cloth intended for robes outside the permitted period. According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, robes must be received and used within certain periods of the monastic year. Specifically, during the rains (vassa), bhikkhus are permitted to receive robe-cloth from donors or supporters of the community of monks and nuns.
If a bhikkhu receives robe-cloth outside the prescribed periods, or stores robe-cloth for use at unsuitable times, this is considered a violation of the spirit of property management and disciplinary observance. This rule is not only related to greed or domination by affection for the body, but also aims to maintain simplicity, self-restraint, and ascetic practice within the community of monks and nuns.
The detailed rules concerning the acceptance, use, and management of robe-cloth are clearly recorded in order to avoid disputes and unfairness in the distribution of communal property. This expresses fairness and transparency in the management of the community of practice.
Practical Meaning
The Akālacīvara Sutra teaches us a profound lesson about mindfulness (sati) and self-discipline in the use of the daily requisites of life.
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