Blog

by Hla Min

Update : 14th October 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.

• YMBA requested Mahagandayone Sayadaw Ashin Janakabhivamsa မဟာဂန္ဓာရုံဆရာတော်အရှင်ဇနကာဘိဝံသto write a brief “History of Buddhism” and Artist Saya U Ba Kyi to provide illustrations.
• Saya U Ba Kyi observed eight precepts for 45 days before undertaking the project.
• In 1953, Saya U Ba Kyi gained international reputation.

• In 1954, YMBA later published an addendum (English translation of Sayadaw’s text in Burmese) for readers who are not conversant in Burmese.

TBSA

• Dhammananda Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa ဦးသီလာနန္ဒာဘိဝံသ 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.
• Saya 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).

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

by Hla Min

Update : 14th October 2026

Video Broadcast on January 24, 2021

Thesaurus

• Roget’s Thesaurus
  Original : Organized as 1000 Topics
• Thesaurus
  Dictionary form : Alphabetical Order
• Visual Thesaurus

Thanks to my Parents and Uncles

• Classics Illustrated
• Junior Classics Illustrated
• Look and Learn
• How and Why
• Stories / Tales
  Aesop’s Fables
  Grimm Brothers
  …
• Pears’ Cyclopedia
• Encyclopedia Britannica
• Five Minute Biographies
• Readers’ Digest (Magazine and Books)
• Comics
• Cartoons

by Hla Min

Update : 14th October 2026

Video Broadcast on January 2, 2020

Yadaya

• Stands for Change.
• Similar to fire
• Can be a good servant or a bad master.

U Myint Sein (BARB)

• According to U Myint Sein (GBNF), former Principal of BARB and Founder of IDEA Astrology, ladies are excellent at Yadaya.
• They change their appearance (e.g. with the aid of cosmetics).

Folklore

According to folk lore, a student went to study at Tekkatho (Tekka Sila) to study under Ditha Par Mauk Kha (Professor). The professor was an expert in Veda. He saw that some calamity (probably death) will fall soon on the student. So, he told the student to return to the village for a while and come back at a later date.

The student did some good deeds on the way back. He moved some fishes from an almost empty pond to nearby stream. He pruned the hanging branches and righted some bent trees. He used some planks to create a make-shift bridge.

On his subsequent visit, the student told the Professor about his actions on the way back to his village. The Professor was pleased to know that the student’s Yadaya had thwarted the ill effects.

Protective Verses

Buddha and eight disciples (Arahants) recited Protective Verses for a child (who was under the threat of demons). The child lived to be 120.

“Phaya Koe Su” Pu Zaw Pwe is based on the story. However, the practice got “diluted” with the inclusion of Nine Gyo Min.

Good Yadaya

• Perform wholesome deeds and share merits
• Dana (Charity)
• Sila (Morality)
• Bhavana (Samatha and Vipassana Meditation)
• Parami (Perfection)
  

Extreme belief in Yadaya

The following may be attributed to some then higher authorities who believe too much in the power of Yadaya.

• A classmate told us that there was a night walk on Minn Lann (Royal Road) by the high authorities.
  The lights were out during the walk.
• Some other events (e.g. the construction of Karaweik) allude to the revival of a Kingdom.
• The change to Nyar Lann Maung (Keep to the Right) without making revisions to the road and the vehicles may be a Yadaya to simulate a change to the right (from left [or Socialist]).
• The issue of bank notes such as 45 Kyats and 90 Kyats may be due to the belief of Nawin or “Nines”.
• The issue of bank notes honoring Saya San and Thakin Po Hla Gyi may be a Yadaya to simulate the revolutionaries throughout the nation, and thereby thwart revolutions.

by Hla Min

Update : 14th October 2026

Video Broadcast on January 31, 2021

• Heavenly Twins
  Castor and Pollux
  Gemini
• Twin Cities
  St. Paul and Minneapolis
• Twin Towers
  World Trade Center
• Twin Blades
  Razor
• Twinning Program
  Rangoon University and USA Universities
  Proposed by Sayagyi U Ba Hli (Dean of Engineering)
• Fraternal Twins
  Maung Maung Win (Maung Yit, Cartoonist, Moemaka)
  Mi Mi Win (Junior Win, Bilingual author)
• Identical Twins
  Navy Commanders Win Thein Maung and Lin Thein Maung
  Director A1 Than Htut and Actor/Director A1 Thein Htut
• Conjoined Twins
  “Siamese Twins” Chang and Eng Bunker (Born in Siam, Died in USA)
  Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San (Burma / Myanmar)

First Operation on Conjoinedo Twins in Burma

• Dr. Pe Nyun, Dr. Htut Saing and team operated on Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San
• Dr. Pe Nyun and Dr. Htut Saing are Past Captains of Rangoon University Boat Club (RUBC)
• Dr. Pe Nyun passed away in Canada
• Dr. Htut Saing passed away in Hong Kong

Independence Day Regatta at Kandawgyi in 1948

• Dr. Pe Nyun, Dr. Pe Thein, U Khin Maung Wint, U Tin U and Cox represented Rangoon University Boat Club (RUBC) at the Independence Day Regatta held at Kandawgyi in 1948.

Professor Pe Nyun Award

• Award given to Young Pediatric Surgeon
• First established in 2012
• The award for 2021 will be presented via Zoom Meeting

by Hla Min

Update : 14th October 2026

Video Broadcast

Introduction

• Dana stands for offering, alms, and donation. It is for Sharing and Caring.
• Dana transcends religion and culture.

For Buddhists

• Dana provides opportunities to gain kusala (wholesome deeds) before, during and after the offering.
• One can share merits when performing a Dana. One can rejoice past Dana and gain merits.
• Dana may be performed anonymously, privately or publicly. Dana may be performed daily or on specific occasions (e.g. sabbath, birthday, anniversary).

Dhamma Dana

Individuals, groups and organizations offer free books and CDs covering dhamma talks. They include :

• Dhamma Download web sites
• Triple Gems Publications
• Tathagata Meditation Center (TMC)

An old saying states, “Dhamma Dana excels all Dana”.

Double Dana

• Sayagyi U Ba Than donates the Garwara Money that he received from the SPZPs and alumni back to Charitable Organizations.
• During one my visits, I witnessed the donation of One Lakh Kyat each to ten organizations.
  They include : Bo Bwa Yeik Tha, Little Sisters for the Poor, School for Deaf and Dumb, School for the Blind, U Hla Tun Foundation, Nar Yay Ah Thin.

Pyinnya Dana

It may stand for offerings made for the advancement of education (of the people and the society).

There are different forms of Pyinnya Dana. They include :

• Sponsoring scholarships (e.g. NorCal RITAA provide some financial assistance to eligible YTU students with the help of RITAA.)
• Donating to the “YTU Library Modernization”
• Sharing of experience, knowledge and wisdom

Health Care

Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF) provides some financial assistance to eligible sayas and sayamas for Hospitalization and Frequent visits to the Clinic.

Individuals and groups donated for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Variant strains of COVID-19 were reported in UK in December 2020 in UK; and in Japan in January 2021.

Cash and Kind

RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins donate to the various noble causes (e.g. SPZP, Shwe YaDu, YTU Library) in cash and kind (e.g. paintings, cartoons).

by Hla Min

Update : 14th October 2026

Video Broadcast on January 2021

intellectual Strength
Knowledge is Power

Learning

• Formal Learning
• Informal Learning
• Pillars of Learning
• Life Long Learning
• Fun with Learning

School days

• Reading
• Writing
• Basics of Arts and Science
• Communication (Short speeches, Discussions)

College days

• Free lance Writing
• Free lance Editing
• Free lance Translation
• Debates

Senior days

• Contributing Editor
• Newsletters
• Web sites
• Facebook Groups
• Video Broadcasts

by Hla Min

Update : 14th October 2026

Video Broadcast on January 2021

Physical Strength
Health is Wealth

Healthy Habits

• Nutrition
• Exercise
• Rest
• Sleep
• Guideline to slow Aging

School days

• Physical Training / Drill
  Free hand
  Indian Club
• Sports
  Soccer
  Games (e.g. throw/catch ball)

College days

• Rowing
  Competitive
  EC member
• Swimming
  Inya Lake
  Pool
• Occasional
  Badminton
  Table Tennis
  Biking
  Running
  Weightlifting

Senior days

• Gymnasium (e.g. Senior Center, Fitness Center) : Before the pandemic
• Stationary Bike (at home) : During the pandemic