A plasma display panel capable of improving dark contrast. A unit light emission region is comprised of a display discharge cell in which a discharge is produced between portions of row electrodes X, Y of each row electrode pair (X, Y) opposing each other, and a reset and address discharge cell arranged in parallel with the display discharge cell, in which a discharge is produced between portions of the row electrode Y and a row electrode X of another adjacent row electrode pair (X, Y). The display discharge cell and reset and address discharge cell are communicated with each other. A light absorbing layer is formed in a portion of the reset and address discharge cell opposing the display surface. According to another aspect, the unit light emission region in the display panel comprises a first discharge cell and a second discharge cell comprising a light absorbing layer. A sustain discharge for emitting light for displaying an image is produced in the first discharge cell, while a variety of control discharges causing light emission not associated with a displayed image are produced in the second discharge cell. According to a further aspect, unit light emission regions are formed at intersections of each of a plurality of first row electrodes and second row electrodes alternately formed on the front substrate such that the first row electrode and the second electrode in each pair are arranged in a reverse order to the preceding pair, and each of a plurality of column electrodes.