Lzh Sarv Bu Pm 2 Np 3Out-of-Season Robe Cloth
Pāli / Sanskrit:Akālacīvara
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SCRIPTURE ON OUT-OF-SEASON ROBE CLOTH - AKĀLACĪVARA
Background
In the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, rules concerning the clothing of monks and nuns have deep significance not only materially but also for spiritual discipline. The Akālacīvara Sutta, out-of-season kāṣāya robe, is recorded in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha, the rules for female monastics, in order to regulate the use of cloth for making robes (cīvara), one of the basic requisites given by the Buddha to monks and nuns.
The historical background of this rule comes from the distinction between appropriate times for making robes and inappropriate times. In the Theravāda tradition, the "proper season" (kāla) is the period in the summer (vasanta), when resources are abundant, climatic conditions are favorable, and sewing is undertaken. By contrast, "out of season" (akāla) refers to times when cloth should not be used to make new robes or replacements.
Main Content
The sutta provides that a bhikkhunī, a female bhikkhu, must not use or witness the use of robe-cloth at an inappropriate time (akālacīvara), unless there is suitable permission (chanda) from the Sangha or special circumstances permitted by the Buddha. This action is regarded as one of the pācittiya offenses, minor offenses requiring confession, in the code for female monastics.
This rule teaches that a bhikkhunī must have strict control over material needs, even basic things such as clothing. One must not act recklessly or at any time according to vain desire, but must follow the guidance of the community and the natural rhythm of the training year (vassa, the rains retreat). Exceptions are permitted only in cases of serious illness, harsh weather, or other urgent circumstances.
Practical Meaning
From the perspective of practice, the Akālacīvara Sutta is not merely an administrative regulation but a lesson about property (dravya), greed (lobha), and renunciation (nekkhamma).
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