Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Dh Np 21Out-of-Season Robe Cloth
Pāli / Sanskrit:Akālacīvara
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Discourse on Out-of-Season Robe Cloth (Akalacivara)
Background
The Discourse on Out-of-Season Robe Cloth (Akalacivara) lies within the Vinaya Pitaka, in the Bhikkhuni Patimokkha, and expresses one of the important regulations of the Buddha for the community of female monastics. The Vinaya Pitaka is the collection of monastic laws built up gradually to protect the purity of the Sangha and establish a firm ethical foundation for the life of going forth.
The background for the arising of this discourse comes from specific events in the early community of monks and nuns. Female monastics needed clear guidance on the use of robes (civara), an important symbol of going forth and practice. The issue of the timing of possession and wearing robe cloth is directly related to the spirit of relinquishing material desire and attachment to property.
Main Content
The regulation on out-of-season robe cloth (akalacivara) is built on the principle of protecting the purity of practice. According to the Pali Canon tradition, the “season” (kala) for receiving robes has definite periods in the year, chiefly the rains retreat (vassa), the three-month period of heavy rains when monks and nuns need robe cloth to protect their health.
“Out of season” (akala) refers to periods that are not the official time for receiving or possessing new robe cloth. The discourse states that a female monastic should not intentionally seek to receive cloth or robes outside the appointed periods. This is not an unreasonable restriction, but a lesson in purity of intention and respect for the common rules of the Sangha.
This regulation also concerns the issue of accumulating property. A female monastic truly seeking liberation should not try to store up or possess too much cloth. Observing the regulation on “out of season” helps remove greed, limit disputes in the community, and maintain equality among members of the life of practice.
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