I volunteered as Translator / Interpreter for Dhamma Talks at TMC.
From Beelin Sayadaw
Beelin Sayadaw
Beelin Sayadaw was Chief Resident Monk at TMC, San Jose.
He moved back to Yangon and managed Hse Mile Gone monastery and later Shwe Taung Gone Monastery. He is now GBNF.
Sayadaw gave me a book which was compiled in Burmese by U Myat Kyaw and translated into English by U San Lwin
Dictionary
From Dr. Myint Thein (M73)
He gave me a book by Kyi Thinn — Yamethin , who worked by Minthuwun and U Tin Aye (Shan Pyay).
The book also covers Daw Khin Kyi and the Novitiation Ceremony of her grandsons.
Dr. Myint Thein received his Doctorate from Georgia Institute of Technology. He wrote several articles for RIT Alumni Newsletter with the pen name Ba Thein (Atlanta).
Sayadaw U Vinaya is Chief Resident Monk of KabaAye Sunlun Gu Kyaung ကမ္ဘာအေးစွန်းလွန်းဂူကျောင်း
Sayadaw passed away in his late 90s.
U Wara
He was succeeded by U Wara / Win Paing (ChE70), who had served as Taik Oke Sayadaw for four decades.
U KaviBook
The Sunlun tradition was started by U Kavi (Myingyan Sunlun Gu Kyaung Sayadaw).
From Mr. Li Chan (Buddhist Chaplain)
In the Buddha’s Words
In the Buddha’s Words (An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon)
Edited and introduced by Bikkhu Bodhi
Mr. Li Chan taught at the Summer Dhamma Camp at Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay, California, USA.
He gave me the book as a dhamma gift.
I was a past VP at TBSA, editor of Dhammanda Newsletter and TBSA website, editor of “Compilation of Sayadaw U Silananda’s dhamma talks (transcribed by Sayadaw U Osadha), editor of three books by Sayadaw U Jotalankara, and Contributing Editor of “Paying Homage to Sayadaw U Silandabhivamsa”.
From Sayadaw U Nemeinda
Milinda
Ashin Nemeinda (Taungyi Thein Daung Taik) was a top student at Thamane Kyaw exam. He passed two Tipitaka exams.
He taught courses during his visits to California
One course covered the book about King Milinda (မိလိန္ဒ မင်း) & Ashin Nagasena (အရှင်နာဂသိန်)
Dhamma Dana by U Ba Than & Family
Things that every Buddhist should know
The book is a compilation by Dr. Kan Nyunt.
U Ba Than
U Ba Than is Retired Professor of Mechanical Engineering at RIT.
He offered Birthday Soon Kyway and gave dhamma gifts.
Before the advent of digital cameras and smart phones, it was not simple and cheap to take photos (let alone process them).
In my younger days, I had a Box Camera, and later Yashica Mat. Unlike my uncle and a cousin brother who are experts in developing films (in a dark room), I had to pay 25 to 50 pyas per print at a Studio (e.g. Ahuja). Later, there emerged professional photographers (e.g. Maung Maung Nhyat and his brothers) and freelance photographers (e.g. Dat Pone San Aung, Dhatu Kyaw Lynn, Maung Maung Soe).
Only those who won contracts had permission to take official photos at the Convocations. It was not compulsory to take and pay for the photos. Some, who did not order the photos, found their photos being displayed as examples of “Do not walk like this” and similar fun messages.
In the posts, there are individual photos and group photos (e.g. fresher welcome, farewell, graduation, newspaper clippings). Some have captions and dates. It is sad to note that some photos remind of people that are GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten).
In the early days, Color photos had to be sent abroad for processing. Our wedding photos were taken with the color film given to me by my elder brother. They were then sent to a friend who was studying abroad. The color photos faded over time.
With the advances in technology, even small children can take reasonably good photos. The photos can be edited (e.g. crop, color-adjusted).
Some unscrupulous people have “doctored” photos and presented them as “evidence” of news. One unethical researcher “duplicated” data to “get favorable results”.
Htein Win
U Thant Ah Yay Ah KhinHtein Win
Took photos of the Ah Yay Ah Khin (mostly from a saya’s house in the Main Campus).
Gave the photos to some friends and to an organization overseas (for storage).
With the Pwint Linn era, he was able to get back the archived photos from overseas.
Managed to get articles from some of the participants in the Ah Yay Ah Khin.
Ko Khin Maung Zaw bought a book from Myanmar and then mailed it to me.
In November 2019. I was invited to attend the 5th Irrawaddy Literary Festival in Mandalay. I met Ko Htein Win who had a book stall at the Festival. He gave me an autographed copy of the book about 8-8-88.
Dr. Thwe Oo
Shared her memories of growing up (until she matriculated) in the Main Campus.
Described the harrowing experience of the “U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khin” (especially the fear for her father’s safety).
Her father Saya U Khin Maung Nyunt (History, Assistant Registrar under Rector Saya Dr. Maung Maung Kha and Registrar Sayama Daw Sein Sein) was Warden of Sagaing Hall at the time. Per Sayagyi’s request, he and his Hall Tutors tried to persuade the throng of student protesters — some holding sharp objects — marching on to the Convocation Hall, but to no avail. They had to go along with the crowd and try to minimize the crowd inflicting damage on the Campus property.
She fondly remembers her father play tennis with his close friend Joe Ba Maung (Burma Tennis Champion in Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles).
She also had good rapport with the Swimming Instructors and friends at the University Swimming Pool.
Her mother is Sayama Daw Mya Mya Nu (Zoology, fondly known as Mya Lay of the “Lay Sisters”). Her aunts are Tin Lay, May Lay and Than Lay.
Dr. Nyan Taw
Matriculated in 1963 from St. Paul’s High School.
RUBC Gold
Joined the Zoology Department
Did his graduate studies in Marine Biology in Tasmania, Australia.
Worked for People’s Pearl and Fisheries Corporation (PPFC)
Worked overseas on UN and Government projects.
He is happy to see posts about the simple but heroic act in 1941 (before he was born). His mother Daw Marie Hla Taw helped Bogyoke Aung San escape the net of the Police Commissioner who had placed Five Rupee / Kyat reward on Bogyoke. An actress has been selected to portray his mother in the movie about Bogyoke.
I met three 1964 Matriculates on March 16, 2018 at the gathering hosted by Dr. Zaw Lin (David Chee).
Dr. Min Lwin (Maurice Hla Kyi, SPHS64)
He spends time in the UK and Myanmar.
He is visiting California.
He is a cousin of U Win Maung (EE69er) and Sayama Daw Khin Swe Aye (ChE70).
He stood 5th in the Matriculation of 1964 and was admitted to IM(2) as Roll Number 2 (based on ILA).
Dr. Aung Win (Lam Peng Chiong, SPHS64)
He is a retired Medical Doctor in Northern California.
He was a few marks behind Dr. Cherry Hlaing and Dr. Lyn Aung Thet in the Matriculation of 1964.
His ILA score was perfect and was admitted to IM(2) as Roll Number 1 (based on ILA).
Dr. Winnie Tan (SJC64)
Spouse of Dr. Aung Win
She is a co-founder of the ConBro (Convent and Brother Schools), which meets in San Francisco.
Dr. Daisy Saw and Mabel Sha are the other founder members.
Dr. Ruby
She lives in Hong Kong and is visiting her sons in Northern California.
She mentioned that her cousin Dr Cherry Hlaing is in the East Coast to attend her daughter’s graduation.
Dr. Cherry Hlaing (SJC64)
She was admitted to IM(1) as Roll Number 1 (with a perfect ILA score).
She was selected as Luyechun for Inlay Khaung Daing Camp in the summer of 1965.
Her grandfather (U Hoke Sein), and her father (U Saw Hlaing) also stood first in Burma. This is a record that is hard to be broken.
Dr. Lyn Aung Thet (MEHS64)
He had distinctions in English, Maths, Physics and Chemistry and had the Joint Highest Marks with Cherry Hlaing.
His Burmese was not sufficient to get a perfect ILA .
He was an all-round athlete and led the IM(1) team in swimming and water polo.
He is a good tennis and chess player.
He was selected Lu Ye Chun in a subsequent year.
Dr. Cho Cho Tin
She is the other Matriculate in 1964 with four distinctions.
She moved to the UK.
RIT
Steeve, Zaw Min, Benny
Top Matriculates admitted to RIT in November 1964 include Zaw Min, Tommy Shwe (GBNF), Cho Aye (GBNF), Peter Pe (GBNF) and Thaung Sein / Steeve Kay (GBNF).
Yu Beng / Benny Tan later co-chaired SPZP-2000. He and Steeve became Golden Sponsors.
Zaw Min and Ohn Khine wrote about “RIT Days (1964 – 70).
HMEE BookHMEE Supplement CD
Ohn Khine later volunteered as Moderator of their Intake and was a Contributor for HMEE project.
Matriculated from St. Peter’s High School, Mandalay
Admitted to the first ever 1st BE along with 400+ students in November 1964
Joined HIC after graduation
HMEE
Member of HMEE-2012 and HMEE-2018 projects
Compiled CD Supplement for HMEE book with U Hla Min (EC69)
Translated Section 1 of HMEE book
Summarized Section 2 of HMEE book
Activities
Moderator of Googlegroup for 1st BE Intake of 1964
Co-author of U Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70) for “RIT Days (1964 – 1970)”
Organizer, Combined 1st BE Intake of 1964 and 1965
Volunteer for SPZP, SDYF and Alumni Association
Notes
Spouse : Sayama Daw Khin Swe Aye / Winnie (ChE70)
Daughter : Medical doctor (working in Malaysia)
Sister : Sayama Daw Khin Swe Myint (organized Physics Symposium in Mandalay)
During my visits to Yangon, he gave me rides to attend SPZP Preparation and HMEE meetings.
The Brother at St. Peter’s registered him as “Ohn Gaing”. His friends called him “Gaing Gyi”.
Photos
HMEE Members Meetings Book & CD Supplement
Gatherings Saya U Ba Than’s Soon Kyway Welcoming Walter (U Win Htay)
HMEE GroupHMEE-2012 MeetingHMEE BookHMEE Supplement CD HMEE-2018 meetingHMEE-2018 meetingWelcoming Walter (U Win Htay, USA)With WalterMechanical Engineering 1970With Saya U Ba ThanWith Dr. Win Thein (GBNF)Saya U Ba Than’s Soon KywayBirthday Soon Kyway by U Ba Than
RU had a Chancellor (Adipati) and Vice Chancellor.
After independence, the Prime Minister of the Union of Burma served as Chancellor. He would attend Convocation and give a speech.
The road leading to Convocation Hall is named Chancellor Road.
Justice U Bo Gyi served as Vice Chancellor for two terms.
A senior Saya (e.g. U Hla Aung, L. Htin Si) served as a Bursar or Registrar
Faculties
RU had several Faculties :
Science
Arts
Social Science
Engineering
Law
Medicine
Forestry
…
Early Scholars and Sayas
Dr. Tha HlaDr. Maung Maung KhaDr. Hla Myint
Dr. Tha Hla, Dr. Maung Maung Kha, and Dr. Hla Myint were among the early scholars sent to UK to study for their doctorates.
They headed Geology, Physics and Economics Departments.
They also served as Rector
U Ba Hli
Saya U Ba Hli was the first native Dean of Engineering. He studied in India and UK. He served as Principal and Civil Professor at GTI before he transferred to RU.
Saya U Ba Hli is credited with the “Twinning Program” with prestigious universities in the US.
Beneficiaries of the program include engineering students (Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun, U Maung Maung Than, U Aung Khin, U Khin Aung Kyi, U Thit, U Soe Paing, U Ko Ko Lay …), sayas (U Sein Hlaing, U Tin Swe, U Allen Htay, Dr. San Hla Aung, U Htin Paw, U San Tun, U Tin Hlaing … ), and eligible graduates (U Aw Taik Moh …).
U Yone Mo
U Yone Mo studied Honors at RU and engineering in UK.
At that time, membership and associate membership of the engineering societies were valued for non-academic positions and jobs.
In contrast, a Masters Degree is usually needed to become a Lecturer.
Some sayas did a second round of studies to complete their Masters and get promoted to Lecturers.
Burmese
In the early days, there was Oriental Studies Department, but no Burmese Department.
Saya U Pe Maung Tin (Pali Scholar) proposed and succeeded in the founding of the Burmese Department at RU. His students : ICS U Sein Tin (Theikpan Maung Wa), U Thein Han (Zawgyi) and U Wun (Minthuwun) spearheaded the “Khit San Sar Pay”. We had to study the works of all four in high school (and beyond).
Minthuwun’s poems and his classic short story (Bagyi Aung Nyar De) were translated into English by U Ohn Pe (Tet Toe), U Khin Zaw (“K) and fellow scholars, and the collection was published in both Burmese and English.
U Pe Maung Tin, U Aye Maung, and U Wun, served as Professor of Burmese Department.
U Myo Min (Nwe Soe, Professor of English) was also involved in the Khit San Sar Pay.
Further Reading
Details of the early departments and pioneer sayas can be found in the RU Golden Jubilee Magazine, the 90th Anniversary Issues and the RU Centennial publications.
