Upp Np 3Out-of-Season Robe Cloth
Pāli / Sanskrit:Akālacīvara
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THE OUT-OF-SEASON ROBE SUTTA (AKĀLACĪVARA)
Exposition of a Theravāda Vinaya Discourse
Context
The Out-of-Season Robe Sutta (Akālacīvara Nissaggiya Pācittiya, or Upp Np 3) is one of the rules concerning articles that must be relinquished when a violation occurs. The background of this rule is bound up with controlling material accumulation in the early Sangha.
According to the records of the Dharma, there were bhikkhus who liked to store up robes (cīvara) at times outside the prescribed robe-offering season. Their purpose was to gain profit or accumulate possessions, which contradicted the spirit of the Dharma: living simply, without possessions (apariggaha), and focusing on practice rather than material things.
The Buddha, fully understanding human psychology and the consequences of attachment, established this rule to protect the purity of the Sangha’s discipline.
Main Content
The rule states that if a bhikkhu receives, stores, or uses robes at times outside the season (akāla), he commits a Nissaggiya Pācittiya offense, that is, an offense requiring relinquishment of the article and wholesome correction.
The “robe season” (kaṭhina season) usually lasts about five months after the rains retreat (vassa) has ended. Outside this period, new robes or robes stored beyond minimum need are considered “out of season” (akāla).
This rule does not completely forbid possession of robes, but only forbids reckless storage or storage beyond reasonable need. A bhikkhu is permitted to keep the three basic robes: the outer robe (saṅghāṭi), the upper robe (uttarāsaṅga), and the inner robe (antaravāsaka). Beyond these, additional robes may be accepted only during the prescribed time.
If this rule is violated, the bhikkhu must present the matter before the Sangha, relinquish the unlawful article, perform penance, and renew his determination to preserve the rules of discipline.
Practical Meaning
This rule is not only an administrative regulation, but a profound lesson in attachment and self-restraint.
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