Lzh Mu Bi Pm Np 3Out-of-Season Robe Cloth
Pāli / Sanskrit:Akālacīvara
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Sutra on Out-of-Season Robe-Cloth (Akālacīvara)
Context
The Akālacīvara Sutra belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, the Pāli Canon, an indispensable part of the system of practice for bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not lofty philosophical teaching, but concrete rules that build the discipline of the Sangha community. This sutra deals with a practical matter: the use of robe-cloth at times not appropriate to the prescribed season.
In the historical context of ancient India, practitioners had to adapt to a tropical climate. The Buddha Gotama established regulations concerning three seasons: the rainy season (vassāna), the cool season, and the hot season, in order to balance minimal material needs with the transcendent spirit of the Sangha. Robe-cloth (cīvara) is one of the three essential requisites of a bhikkhu, together with the eating bowl and a place to lie down.
Main Content
The Akālacīvara Sutra concerns detailed regulations on the use of robe-cloth at times outside the permitted season. The term “out of season” (akāla) here does not mean that it is completely forbidden, but refers to special cases, specific circumstances in which a bhikkhu has the right to use robe-cloth during a period that is not the prescribed season.
The Vinaya Piṭaka stipulates that a bhikkhu may not store robe-cloth arbitrarily. Each bhikkhu may possess only a certain amount of cloth appropriate to the season. However, this sutra records exceptions: when repairing old robes, when honored guests visit the monastery, or in urgent circumstances, a bhikkhu may receive out-of-season robe-cloth with the approval of the Sangha.
The important point is that these regulations are not intended to make things difficult for bhikkhus, but to build a community of practice in fair sharing and with minimized material needs.
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