Different degrees of understanding

Panna which is of the level of theoretical understanding, conditioned by listening to the Dhamma, is quite different from panna which is developed through awareness of nama and rupa. The latter kind of panna is again different from the panna which penetrates the true nature of realities at the attainment of enlightenment. The panna of those who attain enlightenment is of different levels in accordance with the four different stages which are attained. The panna which penetrates the four noble Truths at the attainment of the stage of the sotapanna, the streamwinner, is of a level which is different from the degree of panna which penetrates the four noble Truths at the attainment of the stage of the sakadagami, the once-returner; the panna of the stage of the anagami, the non-returner, and the panna of the stage of the arahat, the perfected one, are again different degrees of panna.

Those who are followers of the Buddha should have great patient in order to listen to the Dhamma and consider what they heard, and in this way there can be more understanding of realities. This cannot be achieved by going somewhere else in order to follow a particular practice. If one is truely patient, sati and panna can very gradually develop. Moreover, we should be truthful as to our development of panna. If there is still ignorance of realities we should realize this and not mistakenly believe that we know realities already. We should not delude ourselves, taking for panna what is not panna. So long as the realities which are appearing through the six doors way are not known as they are, there is no right understanding which can only be developed by the right practice. Those who follow the Buddha's teachings must start in the right way from the beginning. When they are listening to the Dhamma they should do so for the right purpose, and this is; the understanding of realities as they are.


Topic 96