Understanding as skill in improvement (Buddhism)

This is two-fold understanding - in the increase of good (advantages) and the diminution in harm (disadvantages). Unprofitable things which had not arisen in mind, do not arise; those already arisen are abandoned. Profitable things which had not arisen in mind, arise; those already arisen, prosper, thus increasing development and perfection.

On the Path of Purification of Hinayana Buddhism, panna (understanding) is considered as of one kind (monad), of two kinds (dyads), of three kinds (triads) or of four kinds (tetrads). There are five dyads, four triads and two tetrads. All have the characteristic of penetrating the individual essences or true nature of states (monad). In the third triad, this is compared with understanding as skill in detriment or means.