Tag cluster: Discernment (paññā)
Part of key topic Skillful Qualities
Includes tags: Discernment, Investigation of states, Appropriate attention

[Discernment] (pañña) includes correct perception and skillful choices at any level of refinement. [Investigation of states] (dhamma-vicaya) refers specifically to identifying skillful and unskillful states of mind in the early stages of meditation. [Appropriate attention] (yoniso manasikāra) refers to acts of discernment related to the field of attention.


All excerpts (215) Most relevant (80) Questions about (47) Answers involving (133) Stories (8) Quotes (27) Readings (3) Texts (4) References (1)

Brightening the Mind, Session 1 – Aug. 19, 2012

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1. “Could you expand about the layers of understanding of thought, perception, and dukkha?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Yatiko. [Discernment] [Directed thought and evaluation] [Perception] [Suffering] // [Proliferation] [Relinquishment]

Quote: “First you study the Dhamma, then you know the Dhamma, then you see the Dhamma, they you be the Dhamma.” — Ajahn Chah. Quoted by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Dhamma] [Progress of insight]

Commentary: Path of Purification by Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli, p. 631: The highest level of understanding is giving up. [Discernment]


Thanksgiving Retreat 2016, Session 3 – Nov. 21, 2016

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8. “Would you please speak a little bit more about “mindfulness” and the “sati” factor, since it seems to me that most, if not all, things register in consciousness. For example, “discursive” thoughts are registered in consciousness just as thoughts and we are aware of the thoughts themselves. What distinguishes “mindfulness” from lack of mindfulness during this process?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Mindfulness ] [Consciousness] [Proliferation] // [Right Mindfulness ] [Ardency] [Thai] [Hinduism] [Clear comprehension] [Seclusion]

Sutta: MN 10: Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta

Commentary: Path of Purification by Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli, p. 431: The relationship between sampajañña and pañña. [Discernment]

Definition of mindfulness from P. A. Payutto: “That quality of mind which draws the objects of the senses into the heart.” [P. A. Payutto] [Sense bases] [Heart/mind]

Quote: “It’s like this.” — Ajahn Sumedho. [Ajahn Sumedho]


Q&A at Sudhana Center – Jul. 12, 2023

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5. “I feel that a lot of people are disconnected with the reality world. They don’t have a place of social, and they withdraw themselves and go on the internet. So I think the fundamental problem is people [audio unclear] in this real world. Do you have any comments on how to connect people in the real world so there can be a replacement of social media?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Community] [Social media] [Internet] // [Dhamma online] [Pandemic] [Online community] [Abhayagiri] [Lunar observance days]

Sutta: SN 55.5: Spiritual friendship as a condition for Right View. [Spiritual friendship] [Right View] [Conditionality] [Appropriate attention]


Happiness on the Buddhist Path – Aug. 20, 2023

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3. “During times of intense joy and happiness, I find that joy and happiness itself can trigger worry, fear, or desire to control. From this morning’s teachings, I took that one way to skillfully hold happiness is to share it; another is to express gratitude for it. Do you have any advice on how to hold happiness when it feels almost too big to release into?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Happiness ] [Fear] [Gratitude] // [Self-identity view] [Compassion] [Discernment] [Right Speech] [Admonishment/feedback] [Humility]

Sutta: AN 2.126: Two conditions for the arising of Right View. [Right View] [Spiritual friendship] [Appropriate attention]

Quote: “What is the essence of the Buddha’s teachings? You are not what you think.” [Not-self] [Proliferation]