Understanding as skill in means (Buddhism)

This is the skill which arises, whether as skill in improvement or detriment, in bringing about and effecting various states.

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 improvement or detriment.