San Mu Bu Pm GBM 3 Np 26Haste-Cloth
Pāli / Sanskrit:Accekacīvara
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Accekacīvara Sutta: Exposition on the Single Cloth
Background
The Accekacīvara Sutta (Haste-Cloth or Single Cloth) is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of Theravāda Buddhism, specifically in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha, the code for female bhikkhus. This sutta appears in the context of the Buddha issuing regulations on dress for bhikkhunīs, in order to maintain concentration, guard against sensual misconduct, and manage the quality of monastic life in the Sangha.
According to the Pāli Canon tradition, the Buddha often set forth rules (vinaya) based on actual situations arising in the renunciant community. This sutta reflects one issue that arose: the way bhikkhunīs wore robes and the standards related to covering the body.
Main Content
Accekacīvara (acceka = one, cīvara = robe, cloth) refers to wearing a single piece of cloth to cover the whole body. The sutta lays down that bhikkhunīs are not permitted to wear only one cloth, but must have proper covering in accordance with specific regulations.
According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, bhikkhunīs must wear at least three robes (ticīvara): the lower robe (antaravāsaka), the upper robe (uttarāsaṅga), and the outer robe (saṅghāṭī). This regulation is not merely about covering the body, but also bears profound legal, ethical, and spiritual significance.
The robe of bhikkhunīs must be made of coarse cloth, not luxurious, suitable to the ascetic life of one who has gone forth. Wearing robes is also connected with respect for the precepts, carefulness in every daily action, and avoidance of conditions that provoke sensual desire, both in oneself and in others.
This rule also recognizes special cases, such as when a bhikkhunī is ill or has difficulty obtaining enough robes; flexible provisions are also laid down so that the law does not become an excessive burden.
Practical Meaning
The Accekacīvara Sutta teaches us that matters that seem small, such as wearing robes, also reflect the Buddha’s path.
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