paññindriya
Wisdom faculty
[ pun-NYIN-dree-ya ]
Seeing it in life
When paññā exercises dominance over associated states, it is reckoned among the indriyas — last and chief of the five spiritual faculties.
In short
Paññā functioning as a controlling faculty.
The analysis
Paññindriya is paññā functioning as a controlling faculty — the same wisdom already discussed as a cetasika and as amoha, named specifically for its role exercising dominance over associated mental states when it's the prevailing quality in a given moment. It's counted last among the five spiritual faculties, the culmination the other four support and balance.
Where it sits
As the fifth and final spiritual faculty, paññindriya is paired against saddhā for balance across the five — confidence without wisdom risks credulity, and wisdom needs enough weight to keep faith grounded.
The moment discrimination itself becomes the operative quality in a decision — not just information available, but clear seeing actively guiding the choice — is paññā functioning specifically in its indriya, controlling-faculty sense.
Commonly mistaken for
A different capacity from ordinary paññā. It's the same wisdom-quality, named for its controlling role among the five faculties.
Something present only in advanced practitioners. Like the other faculties, it's exercised in degree by any wholesome, knowledge-accompanied citta.
Abhidhammattha Saṅgaha VII, IX; Indriya Saṃyutta (SN 48).
Related terms