Which 7 Knowledges makes a Person ideal?
1: Knower of the Dhamma, Principles, and Causes
(Dhammaññūtā):
The ideal
monastic person knows the speeches, the sayings, the stories,
and the
poems of the Buddha.
He furthermore knows all the inspirations, question/answer
sessions, and commentarial explanations.
The ideal lay person
knows the right principles of lay life, and what is rational, and advantageous to
do.
He knows and understands the duties, and responsibilities of his own,
and other
posts, and occupations.
2: Knower of the Goals, Objectives, and Meanings
(Atthaññūtā):
The ideal
monastic person fully knows the complete meaning of
this and that speech, and Dhamma text.
The ideal lay
person knows the aim of his duty,
or occupation, and the real purpose of life: Happiness!
3: Knower of Oneself
(Mattaññūtā):
The ideal
monastic person knows how far he remembers the texts,
and how
deep he reaches in meditation.
He is aware of how far his moral purity,
his faith, energy, awareness,
concentration, and understanding is.
The ideal lay person knows his/her exact status,
level, strength, knowledge,
ability, and degree of morality.
He then acts accordingly, and does what is needed to improve and reach
greater, and higher maturity.
4: Knower of Moderation
(Attaññūtā):
The ideal
monastic person knows moderation in using any alms food, robes,
lodgings, and medicines.
The ideal lay person knows moderation in consumption, spending, speech,
work, rest, and vacation.
5: Knower of Right Occasion/time
(Kalaññūtā):
The ideal
monastic person knows the right time for study, meditation,
practical work, and solitude.
The ideal lay person knows the proper,
and punctual time, and way for dealing
with other people.
6: Knower of Groups (Parisaññūtā):
The ideal
monastic person knows any group of Nobles, priests, recluses, and
householders and how one
ideally should approach, sit, speak to, and behave in any such group for the
greatest mutual advantage.
The ideal lay person knows individual differences, temperaments, abilities,
and virtues of other people.
He knows this community have these rules
and regulations; culture and tradition;
they have these needs.
7: Knower of Persons
(Puggalaññūtā):
The ideal
monastic person knows those who wish to see Nobles, hear true
Dhamma, and can pay attention.
He knows those who are aware, testing, learning,
and who acts accordingly. He
knows those who do not too.
The ideal lay person knows whether particular other people should be
associated with, what can be learned
from them, and how they should be related to, employed, praised,
criticized, advised, and taught.
Source:
AN IV 113.
