During our younger days, three N’s : Nu (Burma), Nehru (India) and Nasser (Egypt) celebrated the Burmese New Year (Thingyan Festival). They helped found the Non-Aligned Movement.
Other leaders such as Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam), Daj Hammarskjold (UNSG) and David Ben Gurion (Israel) also visited Burma.
Nehru and Indira Gandhi
Photos : Compiled by Win Aung Gyi (Maung Aung Mon)
Chou En Lai
Chou
Ho Chi Minh
Received Honorary Degree from Rangoon University
Prime Minister U Nu was Chancellor or Rangoon University
During a Dhamma Duta mission in the late 1970s, Mahasi Sayadawgyi agreed to leave U Silananda and U Kelasa to carry on the Sasana work in the US.
U Silananda taught classes and conducted meditation retreats in California.
U Kelasa did the same in East Coast of USA.
Dhammananda Vihara
Several devotees including the Khoo siblings and cousins (Eddie, Stanley, Molly) and Dr. Tin Wa established the Theravada Buddhist Society of America (TBSA).
TBSA helped set up the Dhammanada Vihara with U Silananda as the Chief Resident Monk and U Sobhana. U Jotalankara would later join the sayadaws.
The initial Vihara was a rented house in San Francisco. It later moved to Daly City. It is currently in Half Moon Bay.
Hlaf Moon Bay monastery
Resident Monks (over the years)
U Silanandabhivamsa (First Sayadaw, GBNF)
U Sobhana (GBNF)
U Jotalankara (Second Sayadaw)
U Nandisena (Moved to Dhamma Vihara in Mexico)
U Osadha
U Kondannadhaja (Uzin Chan Min)
…
U Silanandabhivamsa
Sayadaw life and accomplishments have been recorded in the Dhammananda Newsletters and the TBSA web site.
I was an Editor for the Newsletter and web site for several years.
Highlights
Sayadaw was born in Mandalay on December 16, 1927.
Father : Saya Saing (Famous Myanmar Pithuka)
Studied at Kelly (an American Baptist Mission School)
During the war, his family took refuge at the Sagaing Hills
Ordained as a samanera (novice)
Paid respect to Shwe Hintha Sayadaw, who gave the novice his robes and requested him not to leave the order
Became a Trailblazer when Mahasi Sayadaw left him to do dhamma duta in California and beyond.
Served as the Abbot of the Dhammananda Vihara, the Spiritual Advisor of the Theravada Buddhist Society of America (TBSA) and the Dhammachakka Meditation Center in California, and several other monasteries in Myanmar and Mexico.
First Rector of IMBTU.
Sayadaw passed away on August 13, 2005.
IMBTU sent Sayadaw U Nandamalabhivamsa and Dr. Myint Kyi to attend the Funeral Services for Sayadaw U Silananda.
I served as Master of Ceremonies at the Funeral Services for Sayadaw.
I was a Contributing Editor and Committee Member for the publication of the book paying Homage to Sayadaw.
TBSA consecrated a Dhamma Hall in memory of U Silananda.
Ceremonies to honor Sayadaw are done in August and December.
Additional materials can be found in the commemorative book (“Maw Gun Win Sar Saung”) and the DVDs about Sayadaw’s “Last Journey” and his lifelong achievements (including the first Rector of IMBTU).
Ceremony in memory of SayadawDevoteesVolunteers
Books
The Biography & First Sermon
Sayadaw wrote the book as a young monk
The book was reprinted as Dhamma Dana for Sayadaw’s 75th Birthday
Paritta Pali and Protective Verses
Ms. Srinuch Pongavas, a disciple of Sayadaw, published the book “Paritta Pali and Protective Verses” for Sayadaw’s birthday in 1995. The book displays Paritta Pali on the even-numbered pages and the Paritta Text (in English) on the odd-numbered pages. Sayadaw recorded the Pali and the English Text. CD was also provided as Dhamma Dana.
It can also be listened on You Tube
U Silanandabhivamsa’s Dhamma Duta Missions
by Nyaung Kan Aye Sayadaw
Nyaung Kan Aye Sayadaw is from the Dhamma Lineage of Mahasi Sayadaw.
Dhamma Lecturer
Dedicated the book to his mentor U Silanandabhivamsa
Aye Thet Scholarship
Dr. Swe Aye and Dr. Khin Nyo Thet provided the seed money for the “Aye Thet Scholarship”.
The number of young adults and children attending the TBSA Summer Dhamma Camp has grown close to 200.
The classes cover
Recitation (for very young children)
Levels 1 to 6
Some who passed Level 6 would volunteer to be Teaching Assistants.
Several donors augment the “Aye Thet Scholarship” to give prizes to the attendees of the TBSA Summer Dhamma Camp.
My Contributions
EC member (VP and/or Director)
Editor of the Dhammananda Newsletter.
Per Sayadaw U Silananda’s request, I simplified the book “A Manual of Buddhism” for use at the Summer Dhamma Camp.
I also edited the book based on the transcripts — by U Osadha — of Sayadaw’s dhamma talks (mostly at the meditation retreats).
Master of Ceremonies at Sayadaw’s Memorial Service
Accompanied Saya U Myat Htoo (then President of TBSA) for scattering Sayadaw’s ashes into the water near Golden Gate Bridge.
Committee member and Contributing Editor for the book “Homage to Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa“.
It was a decision I made 50 years ago that resulted in an association with an institution that has developed from its incipient stage to a full-fledged Institute of Higher Learning. Of course the decision was not mine alone since youths in those days were required to follow the tradition of seeking the guidance and advice of parents, teachers and relatives. I was fortunate enough to have an uncle who was the Professor of Chemistry and gave me valuable advice. Besides, motivation was needed to go for a career, which required two more years of study beyond the B.A. or B.Sc. courses. At that time Burma was independent for just two years and we, the youth of the country, were imbued with a spirit of challenge and sacrifice. Being masters of our own destiny, we had a vision of a united country of fertile fields, humming factories and busy highways. So I chose to apply for admission to B.O.C. College. Actually the name of the college was B.O.C. College of Engineering and Mining with a Principal as its head. The last principal was Mr. Pendril Davies. At this stage I would like to beg the reader’s forgiveness if my recollections are in error and please feel free to correct me. 50 years is a long time. University of Rangoon subsequently took over the College and it became the Faculty of Engineering with a Dean as its head. Sayagyi U Tan Ba Hli was the dean in 1950.
The requirement for admission was that an applicant must have taken the combination — Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry — in the Intermediate of Science (I.Sc.) class and pass with an aggregate of 50%. There were just over 100 students in my First Year Engineering class, including those who signed up for the fast-track New Course in 1949 and absorbed into regular class when it was discontinued. All First and Second Year students have to take common courses, irrespective of whether one wants to go for Civil, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering. Those are the only disciplines in the Faculty. Only after passing the Second Year did we have a choice. Thus, I found myself in 1950 joining an institution which nurtured me intellectually as well as socially and helped me establish a common bond of friendship and loyalty with my fellow engineers and students, when I morphed from student to teacher.
Maung Sein Win (Padeegone) remembers Ko Win Myint Maung submitting articles and poems for Set Hmu Thadin Zin and joining the “Nay Moon Tei Group” organized by Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War)
Ko Win Myint Maung wrote short stories with the pen name Moe Khet.
Due to the policies of accepting only item under a pen name, he submitted a Kabyar with the pen name N Jar Thaing.
NJT entered the “Lone Chin Publishing” two years ahead of Maung Sein Win (Padeegone), but was two years late entering the “Magazine Circle“.
Both served on the Magazine Committees for Swel Daw Yeik Magazines for SPZP-2012, Shwe YaDu 2014 and SPZP-2016.
Saya U Moe Aung felt that N Jar Thaing was having some medical problems in 2014.
Saya sensed some seriousness when N Jar Thaing could not make it to the photo shoot in 2016.
Saya has posted photos about the mini-gatherings of the RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins for the period 2012 – 2016.
N Jar Thaing is GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten)
NJT, Saya and Ma Sandar SPZP 2012Swel Daw Yeik Magazine (2012)Magazine for Shwe YaDu (2014)201420162016
During our RIT days, most if not all Departments have Associations. The activities (especially fund raisers) vary.
Ko Win Thein (GBNF) co-founded Set Hmu Thadin Zin and Mech Engg Magazine.
Win Thein
Ko Aye Lwin (GBNF) served as Secretary of Mech Association and Secretary of the Inaugural RIT Annual Magazine.
Aye Lwin
Ko Shwe Win, Mehm Ye Win and Ko Hla Min served as Secretary of EE Association. Saya U Moe Aung was Chief Editor of Hlyat Sit Sar Saung. Ko Sann Oo, Ko Myo Myint and Ma Than Yi were Associate Editors.
RIT EE Aassociation
Ko Myo Khin and Ko Saw Lin (GBNF) served as Secretary of Civil Association. They displayed Wall Posters.
Badminton U Thein Lwin, Sai Kham Pan, Myint Sein, Bishnu Shahi …
Basketball U Thein Han, Soe Win, Tommy …
Chess Aung Than, Maung Maung, Thet Lwin …
Chinlon U Maung Maung Than, Tin Shein, Htin Aung …
Hiking & Mountaineering Win Lwin, Cho Aye, Bae Oo …
Hockey Dr. Tin Hlaing, Owen Khoo …
Rowing U Sein Win, Dr. San Hla Aung, U Tin Htut, Myo Myint, Than Htut, Thaung Lwin, Hla Min, Sein Myint, Win Naing, Chit Po Po, Htein Win, Aung Tun Oo, Wunna Sithu, Maung Tun, Kyin Tun …
Soccer Kyaw Htin, Soe Myint Lwin, Kyaw Sint, John Tint, Myo Nyunt, Khin Maung Lay …
Swimming U Sein Win, Dr. San Hla Aung, U Hla Myint, Htay Aung, Han Sein, Moe Hein, Sein Myint, Win Maung, Win Aung, Peter Pe, Wunna Sithu …
Table Tennis Saya Mao Toon Siong, Stan Liou, Maung Maung / Sin Gyi, Win Myint, Tin Myint, Nyunt Tin …
Tennis U Tu Myint, Soe Tha, Tun Kyi, Kyaw Nyunt, James Than …
Thaing U Tin Maung Nyunt, Tun Aung Gyaw, Min Din …
Track & Field U Num Kok, Aung Gyi Shwe, Maung Maung Htwe, Aung Khin, Sai Thein Maung, Khin Maung Lay, Nan Khaming, Lei Lei Chit, Khin Than Myint Tin …
HlaMin 