In a flat discharge panel having a cathode adapted to perform a discharge in cooperation with an anode through a main discharge space, being applied with a discharge voltage, and adapted to perform another discharge in cooperation with an auxiliary anode through an auxiliary discharge space, being applied with an auxiliary discharge voltage, said cathode being connected in series to a resistor, a method of driving the flat discharge panel characterized in that a memory function or characteristics is imparted to a matrix panel consisting of the flat discharge panel by shifting the discharge from the auxiliary discharge space to the main discharge space through raising the voltage applied to the main discharge space while lowering the voltage applied to the auxiliary discharge space, and by shifting the discharge from the main discharge space to the auxiliary discharge space by raising the voltage applied to the auxiliary discharge space while lowering the voltage applied to the main discharge space.