Blog

Visits (Talk)
by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

Video Broadcast on December 30, 2020

2012

To coordinate with SPZP-2012 organizers, I visited Yangon in March & December.

March 2012
- Host / Transportation : U Ohn Khine (M70) & U Saw Lin (C71, GBNF); Met U Aung (C70), Daw Mai Khin Nyunt (Rosie, ChE71), U Khin Maung Myint (ChE71)
Dinner by U Saw Lin
- Preparations for HMEE and SPZP-2012
- Received preview copy of RIT Selected Cartoons fom U Saw Lin
- Mini-gathering at U Zau Lai (EP69)’s house; Last meeting with U Aung Thu Yein (EC69, GBNF)
Aung Thu Yein
- Monthly 69er gathering at Taw Win Hnin Si
- Temporary monk at Kaba Aye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung
December 2012

SPZP-2012
- True “Home Coming” at Gyogone Campus; Thanks to HE U Aye Myint; SPZP-2012
- Dinner & Entertainment at MICT Park
- Swel Daw Yeik Magazine for SPZP-2012
- Limited reprint of 23 RIT Annual Magazines
- History of Myanmar Engineering Education : HMEE Book & CD Supplement
- Selected RIT Cartoons
- Exhibits : Cartoon Box, Photos and Paintings
- Guest : M72 Gathering; C75 Gathering; Old Paulians’ Gathering
2015
- Trip to East Coast (USA) and Canada; See “July 2015” post
Windsor, Canada
- RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles; Thanks to Aung Myint Oo (EC84, ex-UCC) & Thida Khin (ex-UCC) for arranging the trip
LA Reunion

2016
- All-day SPZP-2016 at Gyogone Campus
- Free food : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Entertainment : Two Stages
- Cartoon Pamphlet
- Bagyee U Myo Myint donated proceeds from the sale of his Paintings
Bagyee Exhibit
- Received “Collection of Swel Daw Kabyars” by Saya U Moe Aung, Saya U Aung Myaing, Saya U Nyunt Htay, U Win Myint, U Toe Aung
Book of Poems

2017
- Trip to England and Wales : Dr. Khin Tun & spouse Winmar showed us around; They took us to Ogmore-by-the-sea to see my childhood friend Maung Maung Kyi.
2018
- ICST/UCSY Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe : Transportation by Saw Yan Naing
- Posted “Memories of UCC” series
- Trip to Bagan : Phyu Phyu Kyaw sponsored the trip
2019
- Sojourn in Singapore & Malaysia : Thanks to Ko Zaw Tun & Ma Kyu, Silver & Ma Nu, Ko Ye & Pale, and alumni of UCC & ICST
- Gatherings : 69ers, Class of M73, UCC
- Fifth Irrawaddy Literary Festival in Mandalay : Thanks to KK
- RUBC/YUBC Annual Regatta
- Golden Jubilee of Graduation of the 69ers : Organized by the Great Aung Min & team
- ICST/UCSY Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe : Transportation by Mar Mar Soe
- Gatherings : UCC, Paulians, Veda
- Guest : Class of 72 Gatherings
2020
- PSA (Professional Speakers’ Association)
- Guest : 2020 PSA Tour to Upper Myanmar
- Restriction : Stay at home
- Virtual : RU Centennial
Updates
- Several — Dr. Khin Tun, U Maung Maung Kyi, U Aung Myint, Dr. Kyaw Thein — are GBNF.
- Due to pandemic, there were restrictions (e.g proof of vaccination & travel insurance in some countries). 18 former classmates — including Han Sein, Yi Pinn, Khin Maung Gyi, Tobias — succumbed to Covid.
- Only made short trips in 2021 – 2024.
YouTube Channel

@hmin3664

Channel to access my videos
May 5, 2026
69ers
by Hla Min

Updated : May 2026

Highlights

Guinea Pigs of Edu System
- Last 7th Std Government exam in 1960
- First HSF Only exam in 1962; Those from Rangoon had to take exams in March & August
- Matric Only exam in 1963; My older brother entered Yankin College in 1957 after passing 9th Std (HSF & Matric) exam.
- Attended last ever I.Sc(A)
- Admitted to 2nd BE in Nov 1964
- Graduated with BE (a few with BArch) in 1969
Long After Graduation
- First major Reunion in 1999
- Anniversary Reunions in 2009, 2014 and 2019
- Except for pause during pandemic, Monthly Breakfast Gathering (usually at Taw Win Hnin Si)
Jara, Byadi & Marana
- Over 40% are GBNF
- Remaining 69ers try to be active physically, mentally & spiritually.
- Two are Sayadaws: Ashin Ukkamsa & Ashin Pannagavesaka
- Many hosted and/or attended Monthly Breakfast Gatherings.
- One gathering had a record of nine hosts.
- Gifts — 69er towel, 69er mug, 69er cap, 69er hat, 69er pen, medicine — are given at selected gatherings; Albert & company gave out towels; Millie was represented by her cousin; Kyaw Zin was represented by his elder daughter; Fred gave some gifts via 69ers that visited USA (e.g Kyaw Nyunt)
69er towel

69er mug

69er cap

69er cap
- Some donated and/ or joined virtually (via Zoom or Messenger).
Will go on Sharing & Charing

until the Last 69er
- The following gives an account of 69ers & their gatherings.
- Need input, feedback & suggestions to have a comprehensive album.
Donors & Volunteers
- Aung Min (M) is Chair of 69er Health Care Fund. He & his team organized 69er events. They have updated Contact List several times.
Aung Min (Right)
- Myint Myint, Ivan & Sein Myint are major donors. Others (e.g Mehm Aye Chan) make recurring and lump sum donations.
Myint Myint

Ivan (Right)

Sein Myint (2nd from Right)
- There are many unsung heros. Despite having limitations due to an injury at work, Ko Shwe drove long distance to collect donations.
Ko Shwe (3rd from Left)
- Others visited 69ers in hospitals & homes (e.g to aid health care or offer Kutho donation).
1964 – 65
- About 320 were admitted to 2nd BE in Nov 1964
- Most graduated in 1969.
- Luyechun program started in 1964 for high school & middle school. The program was expanded in 1965 for Universities & Institutes.
2nd BE (1964 – 65)

LYC (Summer of 65)

See also
- From BIT to YTU
- Luyechun
- Memories of a 69er
- RIT Days
1966 – 69

Tennis
- Inter-Institute Trophy winners
- Kyaw Nyunt (M, GBNF)
- Than Htay (EE)
- …
RIT Tennis

Kyaw Nyunt (2nd from Left)

Badminton
- Inter-Institute Trophy winners
- Sai Kham Pan (EP) : Burma Selected
- Bishnu (EP, GBNF)
- Myint Sein (M, GBNF)
- …
RIT Badminton 1

RIT Badminton 2

Sai Kham Pan

Track & Field
- Aung Gyi Shwe (EP, GBNF) : Secretary
- Margaret (Khin Than Myint Tin)
- Myo Nyunt (C) : Joint Secretary — for Henry Khin Maung Lay (T68)
- …
Aung Gyi Shwe (Standing Left)

Myo Nyunt

Swimming & Water Polo
- Htay Aung (M) : Burma Selected; Fifth SEAP Games
- Hla Kyaing (M)
- Han Sein (C, GBNF)
- Jimmy Kyin (T, GBNF)
- Sein Myint (EP)
- Swan Kong (?)
- Win Maung (Lake)
- Moe Hein (ChE)
- …
Htay Aung

RIT Crosslake Swimmers

Rowing
- Chit Po Po (M, GBNF)
- Hla Min (EC) : Treasurer & Vice Captain of RUBC
- Sein Myint (EP)
- Win Maung (Lake)
- Win Naing (Dicky, M, GBNF) : recruited David, Fred, Ohn Mg & Sein Tun
- …
Chit Po Po

Win Naing (Dicky)

Sein Myint, Hla Min, Tin Myint

Table Tennis
- Tin Myint (John, M, GBNF) : also Luyechun for 4th BE
- …
Tin Myint

Basketball
- Han Sein (C, GBNF)
- Soe Win (EP, GBNF) : RIT Captain
- Tommy (EP, GBNF)
- Lyo Kyin Sein
- …
Body Building & Weightlifting
- Aung Gyi Shwe (EP, GBNF) : also T&F, Soccer
- Jimmy Kyin (T, GBNF) : also Swimming & Water Polo
- Khin Win (EP, GBNF)
- …
Chinlon
- Tin Shein (M)
- Htin Aung (C)
- …
Thaing
- Tin Tun (M, GBNF) : Secretary
- Tun Aung Gyaw (EC) : Jt. Secretary
- …
Hiking & Mountaineering
- Win Lwin (M)
- …
Engg Associations
- Hla Myint Thein (C) — Secretary
- Myo Khin (C) — Secretary
- Mehm Ye Win (EC) — Secretary
- Hla Min (EC) — Secretary & Hlyat Sit Sar Saung
- Aye Lwin (M) — Secretary & RIT Annual Magazine
- …
Myo Khin (3rd), Hla Myint Thein (Right)

Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thin
- Taing Oke (ChE) — Zat Saya
- Kyaw Htin (T) — Lu Shwin Daw
- Than Myaing (M) — Violin
- Tin Maung Aye (M) — Accordion
- …
Taing Oke

Floor : Robert, Han Sein, Aye Lwin; Seated : Alice, David, Uzin, Tin Mg Aye, Albert, Aung Min; Standing : Lake, Oscar, Harry, Khin Ng Gyi, Allan, Mehm Aye Chan, Walter. Win Lwin, Ngwe Tun, Myo Nyunt, Aung Gyi Shwe

Writers
- Aung Myint (Pet) : Kyant Ba Hone (Cartoon); Tech & Edu Notes
- Taing Oke : Yin Maung; National Literary Award
- Tin Htut (Harry, M) : Mon Yu
- Win Thein Zaw : Wai Lu
- …
Kyant

Wai Lu

69ers at Inya
- Nay Win, Yee Pin, Khin Mg Gyi & Chit Po Po are GBNF
69ers at Inya

See also
- Activities
- Celebrations
- Publications
- RIT & Burma Selected
- Sports
EE69
- See post with annotations by Thein Swe (GBNF, Luyechun for 3rd BE) & me
EE69

Ko Shwe (L), Thein Swe (R)

Graduates
- Mostly Mech
- Aung Thu Yein (E), Kyaw Than (Met?), Nay Win (M), Khin Maung Gyi (M) & Toby (A) are some of the GBNF
- Most worked for government and industry. Some joined the Faculty. A few worked for private & family business. Some went overseas.
Grads

A69

See also
- 69er — Memories
- Then & Now
- How Time Flies
1970 – 1998
- There were no formal Reunions.
- Most were busy with their work and family.
- In the mid 1990s, Danny discussed with some friends about a 69er Reunion.
1999
- 30th Anniversary of Graduation; See Danny’s post about the event
- I started “RIT Alumni Newsletter”; See my posts
Newsletter

2000
- First RIT Alumni Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP-2000) in the SF Bay Area : Oct 29 – 30, 2000 ; See posts about SPZP-2000
- I was an Organizer & Chief Editor of the special issue of “RIT Alumni Newsletter”
- (First) Alumni Appreciation Award received at SPZP-2000; Also given to KMZ (webmaster) & Maurice (core organizer)
- Tint Lwin (Danny, M), Tin Myint (John, M), Lyo Kyin Sein (Mabel, T), Mg Toung (Tom, EC) & Myo Khin (C) attended SPZP-2000. Danny came from Singapore. John & Mabel live in Union City, California. Tom came from Connecticut. Myo Khin & Winsome (C73) came from Japan.
SPZP-2000 Organizers

SPZP-2000 attendees

2009
- 40th Anniversary of Graduation; See post for the event
- Group photos : Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Textile, Chemical
Electrical

Mech

Civil

Textile & Chemical

2014
- 50th Anniversary of RIT; See post about the event
- Pseudo Golden Jubilee for 69ers
GJ of Admission

2015
- Myint Myint (C) hosted a Welcome Lunch Gathering at Western Park for Nyunt Nyunt Wai (Millie, T)
Welcome Millie in 2015
- Six 69ers at Ivan’s house. Ivan hosted annual RIT-UCC gathering for over a decade. Eventually, MASTAA was established with Ivan as CEO.
2016
- (Second) Alumni Appreciation Award at the Birthday Soon Kyway Gathering in August; Organized by Maurice Chee (M75); Most attendees from California
Award 1
- (Third) Appreciation Award at NorCal RITAA Annual Dinner in September
Award 2
- SPZP-2016
- Gathering — Welcome Sein Myint & me; Farewell to Tint Lwin
Gathering

2017
- Monthly Gatherings
- Ad hoc Gatherings
- Annual Gathering
BFG 1

2018
- Monthly Gatherings
- Ad hoc Gatherings
- Annual Gatheting
BFG 2017

BFG 2018

2019

Golden Jubilee of Graduation
- Home coming for Tin Tin (Ann)
GJ

2020 – 2021
- SPZP-2000 canceled due to Pandemic
- Several 69ers & family members succumbed to Covid
- Gatherings put on hold
2022

December

Tin Shwe

2023

August

September 2023

အလှူရှင်
- ဦးငွေထွန်း၊
- ဦးတင်ရှိန်၊
- ဦးသန်းဝင်း၊
- ဦးချမ်းငြိမ်း၊
- ဒေါ်ခင်သန်းမြင့်တင်၊
- ဦးစောမြင့်နိုင်၊
- ဦးဖေဟန်ထွန်း
- U Zaw Win (Thailand)
- Albert Kyaw Min
Dear RIT 69++friends

ဖိတ်ကြားအပ်ပါတယ်

September breakfast gathering သို့ မပျက်မကွက် ကြွရောက်ကြပါခင်ဗျား။

တော်ဝင်နှင်းဆီ / ၂၄/၉/၂၀၂၃ (တနင်္ဂနွေ) ၊ ၇:၀၀ မှ ၈:၃၀ နာရီ မှာဆုံကြမယ်။

ကိုငွေထွန်း၊ကိုသန်းဝင်း၊ကိုတင်ရှိန်၊ကိုစောမြင့်နိုင်၊ကိုဖေဟန်ထွန်း၊ကိုချမ်းငြိမ်း၊မာဂရက်၊Albertနှင့် ကိုဇော်ဝင်း(ထိုင်း) ပေါင်း ၉ ဦးတို့က အာဟာရ ဒါန ပြုကြပါမယ်။နီး/ဝေး/ပြည်ပ သူငယ်ချင်းများရဲ့ စေတနာပါ။ကြွလာချီးမြှင့်ဖို့ ထပ်မံတိုက်တွန်းပါရစေ။

စားပြီးရင် ၉၃ နှစ်ပြည့် ဆရာ ဦးဘသန်းအား သွားရောက် ဂါရဝ ပြုပါမယ်။ဆရာနေကောင်းပါတယ် အပြော နဲ့ သတိ အားနည်းလာပြီ။အလှူငွေများကို နောက်ဆုံးအချိန်ထိ လက်ခံပေးသွားပါ့မယ်။လိုက်ပါလိုသူ အကန့်အသတ်မရှိပါ။

2025

June

KMT

KMT 2

Roland, Oscar, Albert

Four Young-at-heart

Myo Nyunt

Request
- Please share your memories
- Please add captions
- Please provide corrections
- မ ပြီး သေး သော ပန်း ချီ ကား
May 5, 2026
Sheffield
by Hla Min

Updated : May 2026

Trip to UK
- In September 2017, I visited United Kingdom. It was my second visit to UK. My first visit was in 1972.
Hosts
- My cousin nephew Dr. Khin Tun (Peter) & Daw Win Mar hosted us at their house in Reading (40 miles from London).
Sheffield
- Took train to Sheffield to meet Peter’s younger brother Dr. Ye Myint, Daw San San Aye & their daughter Aye Sandar (Dental Surgeon).
- My cousin sister Dr. Tin Kyi Win & her son Raymond drove to Sheffield to meet us.
- Enjoyed food cooked by Ye Myint, San San Aye & Tin Kyi Win
- They also took us to a Thai restaurant for dinner.
UK 1

UK 2

UK 3

UK 4

Updates
- Peter Tun passed away on April 13, 2020. He was an early NIH Doctor to succumb to Covid. See my posts that chronicled his demise.
- Some time back, Tin Kyi Win passed away peacefully in her sleep.
May 5, 2026
Sept 2017
by Hla Min

Updated : May 2026

Half Moon Bay

(Sept. 3, 2017)

HMB Soon Kyway

Attended Soon kwyay in memory of Uncle U Wah Kyu, father of Maurice Chee (M75).

U Wah Kyu is the older brother of Saya U Win Kyaing (GBNF).

Attendees include
- Daw Mu Mu Kin — spouse of Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF)
- Saya U San Tun (M59) & spouse
- Saya Kyi Kong Tham (C63)
- Saya U Maung Maung (George, ChE66)
- Daw Khin Khin Kyu (Ann, A67)
- U Hla Min (EC69) & spouse
- Benny Tan (M70)
- Saya U Thein Aung (Met72) & Daw San San Nyunt (M77)
- Maurice Chee (M75)
Saya U Soe Paing & Ma Alice
- Visited SF Bay Area several times
- Saya visited Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt in Milpitas on September 5, 2017. They studied in the USA as State Scholars. They shared the long trip back to Burma with Saya Allen Htay & Saya U Ko Ko Lay. They spent the evenings playing Bridge.
USP & UTMN 1

We hosted Lunch for the sayas at a restaurant in Fremont.

USP & UTMN 2

Updates

Retirees

Before the pandemic, Maurice organized monthly Lunch gatherings for SF Bay Area Retirees.

NorCal RIT AA

Several sayas and senior alumni cannot attend Dinner gatherings. NorCal RITAA responded by deciding to have Lunch Gathering at San Bruno on August 16, 2025.
May 5, 2026
Maths Sayas
by Hla Min

Updated : May 2026

U Kar

(5/Apr/1894 to 21/May/1974)
- Passed away at the age of 81
- Taught Mathematics at RU
- Education Minister in the Caretaker Government
- Rector, RASU
- Children : Saya Dr. Tin Maung and Sayama Daw Thein.
U Aung Hla

(18/Apr/1896 to 13/Dec/1983)
- Passed away at the age of 88.
- Professor of Maths, RU
- Dean of Arts, RU
- Accomplished musician
- Annotated 25 Burmese songs.
- Spouse : Daw May Than was a nationally known singer.
- Son : U Mya Than played the lead guitar & piano.
U Po Thon

(27/Jul/1899 to 23/Nov/1982)
- Passed away at the age of 84.
- Pyinnya Mingyi ပညာမင်းကြီး
- Supervised & published Maths texts for use in schools.
U Net

(15/Jan/1918 to 26/Feb/2003)
- Passed away at the age of 86.
- Professor of Maths, MASU
- Feather of Daw Khin Mar Mar (Physics & UCC) & grandfather of Wunna Ko Ko, webmaster of second RIT web site.
U Ba Toke

(26/Dec/1920 to 2/Dec/2020)

Book
- Phwa Bet Taw ဖွားဘက်တော် of “Rangoon University” and “First RU Student Boycott” (which is celebrated as “Ah Myo Tha Aung Pwe Nay” အမျိုးသားအောင်ပွဲနေ့ )
- Professor of Maths, RASU
- Rector, MASU
- Professor of Maths, RIT
- Vice Chair of Maths, Assumption University
- Mandalay University Soccer Selected
- Chinlon expert
- Vice chair, RU Sports Council
- Led the Burmese Olympic team to Tokyo in 1964.
- Gave interviews (three C-90 tapes) and documents (4 files) to Saya Dr. Khin Maung Swe (Tekkatho Maung Thin Char). The book was published in April 2010 & was distributed on Sayagyi’s 90th birthday.
Updates
- Many sayas — including those mentioned in the post are GBNF.
- Other GBNF sayas include Dr. Chit Swe, Dr. Tin Maung, Dr. Saw Tin, Dr. Khin Maung Win, U Tin Hlaing, U Sein Min, U Ko Lay & U Aung Sein
Posts
- GBNF
- Mathematics
- RU
- Sayas
- Universities & Institutes
May 5, 2026
Ma Nge
by Hla Min

Updated : May 2026

Highlights

Ma Nge
- Nge Ma Ma Than (ငယ်မမသန်း), Theresa Aung Than
- Youngest daughter of U Aung Than, elder brother of Bogyoke Aung San
- Matriculated from MEHS (Methodist English High School).
- Studied at RASU and UCC
- Taught at UCC, DCS and ICST
- Found her soul mate U Myint Swe at UCC
Ma Nge, Ko Myint Swe & ASSK
- In the Adhamma era, Ma Nge, Ko Myint Swe & her elder brother became “Prisoners of Conscience”.
- They later supported former POCs and taught IT to the needy.
- Her health deteriorated, but her strong spirit never declined. Even in her final days, she commiserated with her former political prisoners.
Ma Nge 2
- Passed away at Pinlon Hospital on April 24, 2018 at 12:20 PM
Obituary

Posts
- Computer Science & Technology
- Memories of UCC
- Names
May 5, 2026
Photos
by Hla Min

Updated : May 2026

Sayas

Bro Clementian

Saya U Sein

Bro Xavier

Mr. C Lewis

Relatives

Rel 1

Rel 2

Rel 3

Rel 4

Rel 5

Rel 6

Rel 7

Friends

Friends 1

Friends 2

Friends 3

Friends 4

Friends 5

Friends 6

Friends 7

Norcal 1

NorCal 2

NorCal 3

NorCal 4

NorCal 5

Let Oo Sayas

Three Generations
- My beloved parents
- My spouse and I
- My elder son
With my beloved parents

St. Paul’s High School, Rangoon
- De la Salle Brothers
- Sayas / Male teachers
- Sayamas / Female Teachers
SPHS Staff

Dr. Khin Mg Mg & Dr. Rafiul Ahad
- Dr. Khin Mg Mg (Physics) : Prof and Chair, Physics & Astronomy, University of Mississippi
- Dr. Rafiul Ahad (Computer Science) : Retired VP, Oracle USA
KMM RA 1

KMM RA 2

KMM RA 3

KMM RA 4

Dr. Nyunt Wai (Victor Nyunt)
- Fourth in Burma in the Matriculation Exam in 1963
- Retired Professor, Physiology at Institute of Medicine (1) and (2)
- Taught at Malaysian University
VNW 1
May 3, 2026
Photo Album
by Hla Min

Updated : May 2026

RIT Almni

Dr. Sann Oo 1

Dr. Sann Oo 2

Emma

NorCal 1

NorCal 2

NorCal 3

NorCal 4

Let Oo Sayas

Three Generations
- My beloved parents
- My spouse and I
- My elder son
With my beloved parents

St. Paul’s High School, Rangoon
- De la Salle Brothers
- Sayas / Male teachers
- Sayamas / Female Teachers
SPHS Staff

Dr. Khin Mg Mg & Dr. Rafiul Ahad
- Dr. Khin Mg Mg (Physics) : Prof and Chair, Physics & Astronomy, University of Mississippi
- Dr. Rafiul Ahad (Computer Science) : Retired VP, Oracle USA
KMM RA 1

KMM RA 2

KMM RA 3

KMM RA 4

Dr. Nyunt Wai (Victor Nyunt)
- Fourth in Burma in the Matriculation Exam in 1963
- Retired Professor, Physiology at Institute of Medicine (1) and (2)
- Taught at Malaysian University
VNW 1
May 3, 2026
Poem for SPZP-2000
by Hla Min

Updated : May 2026

SPZP
- Combine the first letter of each line to spell “SAYA PU ZAW PWE”
- The term SAYA PU ZAW PWE was chosen over SAYA GADAW PWE which has religious connotation, so that non-Buddhists can pay respect to their mentors.
- There have been seven worldwide SPZPs : USA in 2000, Yangon in 2004, 2012 & 2016, Singapore in 2002, 2007 & 2010. I was organizer for SPZP-2000 and facilitator for the rest.
GBNF
- Gone But Not Forgotten
- GBNF for 69ers is maintained by U Aung Min (M69) & team
- GBNF for 1st BE Intake of 64 (Class of 70) is maintained by U Ohn Khine (M70) & team
Newsletter

Poem for SPZP-2000

S eems like it was only yesterday
A t our alma mater in a land far away
Y ou taught us to work, play, laugh, even cry
A nd coaxed us, forced us to aim for the sky

P roblems in real life, lab, computation, survey
U nderstand concepts, design, display, …
Z eal, zest, ardor, grit, passion to make it “our day”
A rchitects, engineers, we’ve come here to say
W e honor your metta, your cetana — we fully can’t repay

P resently we meet, alum from five decades we greet
W ith memories true, fond, sweet
E cstatic yet sad that the GBNF could not join this memorable fete

Posts
- Hla Min’s Writings
- Poetry
- SPZP-2000 : Cover of RIT Alumni Newsletter
- SPZP-2000 : Back cover of Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung
May 2, 2026
MahaGandayone & U Ba Kyi (Talk)
by Hla Min

Updated : May 2026

Video Broadcast on January 5, 2010

Illustrated History of Buddhism

YMBA
- The Burmese version of the Book was published by YMBA (Young Men’s Buddhist Association) in 1951.
Mahagandayone Sayadaw
- YMBA requested Mahagandayone Sayadaw Ashin Janakabhivamsa to write a brief “History of Buddhism” and Artist Saya U Ba Kyi to provide illustrations.
- U Ba Kyi observed eight precepts for 45 days before undertaking the project.
- In 1953, U Ba Kyi gained international reputation.
- In 1954, YMBA published an addendum (English translation of Sayadaw’s text in Burmese) for readers who are not conversant in Burmese.
TBSA

Illustrated History of Buddhism
- Dhammananda Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa sought permission from YMBA to reprint the book with descriptions in both Burmese/Myanmar and English.
- In 1994, the book was printed and published in the US and was distributed by TBSA (Theravada Buddhist Society of America).
- Several books were left. Some were handed as prizes for the successful participants of the “Summer Dhamma Class / Camp”.
Missed Opportunity
- An Arts professor from Stanford University expressed desire to use “The Illustrated History of Buddhism” as a text for his course provided the book can be “ordered” from the University Book Shop.
- Since the book was meant for dhamma dana, the book had no ISBN (International Standard Book Number) that is used by book shops.
Miscellaneous
- There have been some requests to reprint the book.
- There are probably newer reprints of the book and/or PDF version of Saya U Ba Kyi’s drawings.
U Ba Kyi
- Saya translated a verse of the song “Hna yauk hte nay gin de” while invigilating an examination at the Institute of Education.
- Dr. Maung Maung Kha used to accompany Saya U Ba Kyi’s vocals with his violin at the functions (mostly at Rangoon University Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thin).
Translation of Burmese Song နှစ်ယောက်ထဲနေချင်တယ်

Darling
Only two we will live dear
On the high crest
Of the Mount Everest
And the Sahara Desert
Driest without water
To the North Pole
May be freezing cold
Where the sun will never never grow
With all my heart and soul
Only two darling We will go

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May 2, 2026