1: Knower of the Dhamma, Principles, and Causes
(Dhammaññūtā): The ideal
monastic person knows the speeches, the sayings, the stories, & the
poems of the Buddha. He furthermore knows all the inspirations, question/answer
sessions & commentarial explanations. The ideal lay person
knows the right principles of lay life, & what is rational & advantageous to
do. He knows and understands the duties & responsibilities of his own & other
posts & 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 text. The ideal lay person knows the aim of his duty,
or occupation & the real purpose of life: Happiness!
3: Knower of Oneself
(Mattaññūtā): The ideal
monastic person knows how far he remembers the texts, & how
deep he reaches in meditation. He is aware of how far his moral purity,
his faith, energy, awareness,
concentration, & understanding is. The ideal lay person knows his exact status,
level, strength, knowledge,
ability, & degree of morality. He then acts accordingly and does what is needed to improve and reach
greater & 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, & recreation.
5: Knower of Right Occasion
(Kalaññūtā): The ideal
monastic person knows the right time for study, meditation,
practical work, & solitude. The ideal lay person knows the proper
and punctual occasion for any 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, & behave in any such group for the
greatest mutual advantage. The ideal lay person knows individual differences, temperaments, abilities,
& virtues of other people. He knows this community have these rules & regulations; culture & tradition;
they have these needs. 7: Knower of Persons
(Puggalaññūtā): The ideal
monastic person knows those who wish to see Nobles, hear true
Dhamma, & pay attention. He knows those who are aware, testing, learning, & who acts accordingly. He
knows those who do not. The ideal lay person knows whether particular other people should be
associated with, what can be learned from them, & how they should be related to, employed, praised,
criticized, advised, & taught. Source: AN IV 113.
