How many types of Wisdom are there?

There is only one core characteristic of Wisdom, penetrating clearly the states of phenomena (dhamma). There are, however, various ways of classifying Wisdom into two categories:

• Mundane (Lokiya) Wisdom and Supra-mundane (Lokuttara) Wisdom.
• Wisdom with mental intoxication or defilements and Wisdom without mental intoxication or defilements.
• Wisdom that knows [visible] matter or form and Wisdom that knows [invisible] mind.
• Wisdom with joy and Wisdom with equanimity.
• Wisdom within the realm of perception and Wisdom within the realm of meditation.

Wisdom can also be classified into three categories in various ways:

• Wisdom resulting from reflection, Wisdom resulting from study and Wisdom resulting from mental development.
• Wisdom regarding the sensual realm, Wisdom regarding the pure form or formless realms and Wisdom regarding objects of the Supra-mundane realm or Nirvana.
• Wisdom that is proficiency in progressing, proficiency in abandoning, and proficiency in developing a methodology for success.

Wisdom can also be classified into four categories in various ways. These include Wisdom regarding the Four Truths and the Four Analytical Insights.

In conclusion, there are many different types of Wisdom according to their characteristics and functions, but these are only differences in detail. Essentially, Wisdom is the ability to penetrate clearly the nature of conditioned phenomena as the three characteristics of impermanence, suffering and non-self.

In order to help students understand the Wisdom of Insight meditation, Venerable Buddhaghosa explains that Wisdom in this context means specifically Insight Knowledge endowed with virtue well internalized, this is called Insight Wisdom. This Insight Wisdom helps in the development of concentration and Insight meditation to gain knowledge of all conditioned phenomena and the unconditioned phenomena of Nirvana and the Four Noble Truths which lead one to attain Nirvana and become a true Asekha (Arahant or Perfect One).