Harmony

In our younger days

Our grand parents and parents had workers who were non-Buddhists. They gave us sweets (for Diwali), dan bauk (for Id) and presents (for Christmas).

During our younger days, we had classmates who professed different religions and lived in perfect harmony.

Christians

Saya U Pe Maung Tin was a Christian, but he helped with the translation of Buddhist texts (e.g. Vissuddhi Magga). Saya also translated the two sermons (Dhammacakka and Anatta Lekkhana Sutta) into English at the request of U Tha Win (who published the two sermons in Pali, Burmese and English).

Teacher Kywe (PPBRS) was a Karen Christian teacher who transformed me into a “life long learner”. My mother would ask me to visit her several years before she retired.

Rev. Bernard Taylor (SPHS) retired as a Missionary in the Philippines.

Rev. Edwin David (SPHS, GBNF) served as Priest of St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Several RIT alumni (including a few Golden Sponsors) are Christians. They embrace SPZPs.

The term Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was chosen over Saya Ga Daw Pwe (which had religious connotation) so that all students can pay back the metta and cetana of their mentors.

Sikhs

D. S. Saluja (SPHS, RIT) and A. S. Sonu (SPHS) are Sikhs.

Several Singhs are RIT alumni. They include Meenu, Jagjit, Surinder, and Uttam.

Muslims

• Arzani U Razak
  Early Graduate of National College
  Principal of National School in Mandalay
  Was nominated by several Sayadaws to be Education Minister in Bogyoke Aung San’s Cabinet
• U Raschid
  Student Leader for RUSU and Ba Ka Tha
  Minister
• U Khin Maung Latt
  Minister
• U Pe Khin
  Negotiator at Pin Lon Conference
• Bohmu Ba Shin
  Burma Historical Commission
• U Hla Kyi (Geologist, younger son of U Razak)
  Helped solve the “Foundation” problem at Shwe Dagon Pagoda

• Edward Hla Shwe I and II (SPHS) were Muslims.
• Several RIT alumni (including the organizers at RIT Alumni International and 69er gatherings) are Muslims.
• U Thein Ngwe (Ko Thein Tokyo) sent a photo of RIT Muslim students in 1971.

Men on the Moon

For the last stanza of my poem “Men on the Moon”, I wrote

“Are we not brothers here on earth?
So let us all unite.
There will be heaven here on earth
If we all cease to fight”.