HlaMin

Author: Hla Min (Lifelong Learner)

  • Families on Boundary Road

    They owned lands on Boundary Road (some surrounding PPBRS) and Windermere Road.

    • U Maung Maung Patail
    • Charlie Patail
    • Yakub Patail
    • Ariff (married to the sister of the Patails)

    Several of their children attended PPBRS.

    U Maung Maung Patail

    • Brian (USA)
    • Marion (Daw Mya Sein, Retired History sayama)
    • Harry (Kyaw Zaw, GBNF)
    • Sheila (USA)
    Sheila

    Charlie Patail

    • Alfred (USA)
    • Lily

    Yakub Patail

    • Freda
    • Farook (worked in the Middle East)
    • Osman

    Ariff

    • Pilot
    • Ahmed

  • Half Moon Bay Monastery

    Paying homage to U Silananda

    Sayadaw U Silananda

    • Chief Resident Monk of Dhammananda Vihara.
    • Spiritual Director of several monasteries and associations in USA, Myanmar, Canada, Mexico …
    • Chief Compiler of the Tipitaka Pali-Burmese Dictionary for the Sixth Buddhist Council
    • Authored books in Burmese and English
    • Meditation teacher
    • Rector, IMBTU
    • See related posts for details
    • Sayadaw passed away on August 13, 2005.
    • We paid homage to his bronze statue on the morning of August 14, 2016.
      Sayadaw U Jotalankara read Sayadaw’s biography.
      Shwe Bo Sayadaw and Mr. Luyen (from Tathagata Meditation Center) recounted the good qualities and achievements of Sayadaw.

    My Services

    Over the years. I have served in the following capacities at Theravada Buddhist Society of America (TBSA)

    • Member of the Board of Directors
    • Executive Committee member
    • Editor of “Dhammanda Newsletter” and TBSA web site
    • Simplifier of “A Manual of Buddhism” for use at the summer dhamma classes
    • Editor of transcribed dhamma talks given by Sayadaw at the weekend retreats
    • Master of Ceremonies at the services for Sayadaw
    • Accompanied Saya U Myat Htoo to carry the ashes to be scattered near the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
    • Member of Book Committee and Editor for paying “Homage to Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa”
    • Volunteer at the TBSA ceremonies

    Volunteers

    • U Myat Htoo (C68)
    • U Tun Shwe (ChE72) : moved to Virginia
    • Daw Myint Myint Yee (ChE73) : moved to Virginia
    • U Myint Thein (Soon Hoe, C74)
    • Daw Myint Myint Thein (C77)
    • U Aung Zaw Maung (Pet78)
    • U Zaw Lwin (Andrew, M87)
    • …
    • Many non-alumni
  • Aug & Sept (2019)

    Aug & Sept (2019)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    August 2019

    Three of my cousins — Dr. Daw Win Hlaing, U Mya Thein and U Tin U — celebrated their 87th, 88th and 90th birthdays.

    U Tin U

    We had a family vacation at Pismo Beach, California to celebrate two birthdays : 5th birthday of my grand daughter and my birthday.

    My two sisters also celebrated their birthdays.

    Daw Myint Myint hosted the 69er Monthly Breakfast gathering with U Than Oo in August 2019. Daw Myint Myint hosted with U Soe Thein (Peter) in August 2018. Daw Myint Myint is a major donor to the 69er Health Care Fund.

    There was fund raising for “Flood Relief”.

    September 2019

    [Per U Wynn Htain Oo (M72)] : Dr. Myint Thein (M73, Rector, YTU) and team invited Saydaws to recite suttas at the new YTU Library. Students will be provided access to the library ASAP.

    Ashin Pannagavesaka (Myo Tun, Bobby, A69, Mawlamyine Pa Auk) visited Ashin Okkantha (Aung Chaw, Victor, C69) in the latter’s monastery in Sagaing Hills.

    Dr. U Win (Geography) had a successful operation to replace the pacemaker. His friend said, “Your death sentence has been delayed.”

    Kenny Wong (MEHS63, M69, USA) met with some old friends such as Win Maung (Lake) and Cyril Ba Than (Than Hla). He stood 6th in Burma in the Matriculation with four distinctions. He was the lone MEHS in the Top Seven. The other six were from SPHS.

    U Ngwe Tun (Tun Tun) will host the 69er Monthly gathering in September 2019.

    MASTAA (based in the East Coast of USA) has collected donations — from the members and well-wishers — for the “Flood Relief” operations in Myanmar.

    B. Andreescu (19 year old) became the first Canadian woman to be crowned US Open Champion. She held Serena Williams (38 year young), who was trying to tie Margaret Court / Smith’s record of the most Tennis Grand Slams.

  • August

    Background

    • It was the 6th month in the old Roman Calendar, and it had 30 days.
    • The month was given an extra day and renamed in honor of Augustus Caesar.
    • It is the 8th month in the Gregorian Calendar, and has 31 days.

    Events

    Birthdays

    • Two sisters, my grand daughter, several cousins and I are August born.

    August 2016

    • In August 2016, Ko Maurice Chee (M75) organized a birthday soon kwyay for me at the Dhammananda Vihara in Half Moon Bay, California.
      The sayas and alumni presented me an Appreciation award.
    Birthday Celebration at Half Moon Bay
    Alumni Appreciation Award
    Attendees
    With spouse, DIL and Granddaughter

    Deaths

    • My Father-in-law, Mother-in-law and Brother-in-law passed away in August.
    • U Silanandabhivamsa passed away in August. I served as the Master of Ceremonies at the Memorial Service. I was member of the Magazine Committee and contributing editor of “Homage to Sayadaw U Silananda”.

    1988

    • 8-8-88 (August 8, 1988) and the following days mark the hope and then despair of the people longing for the end of the Adhamma Era.
    • The event was inspired in part by numerologists who remembered the historic event about Mingyi Yan Naung in 888 Burmese Era. They extrapolated the magic of No. 8 from three 8’s to four 8’s.
    • The organizers and Ko Nay Min fed news to a BBC correspondent.

    2008

    • Most Chinese think that the number 8 is lucky.
    • Beijing Olympics was opened on 8-8-08 (August 8, 2008).
  • Lest We Forget

    Lest We Forget

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    1988

    Members of the San Francisco Bay Area honored the Fallen Heroes of Burma’s Democratic Movement in general, and the events around the ominous 8-8-88 (August 8, 1988) in particular.

    Attendees

    Among the attendees were

    • Dr. Kyaw Tint
    • U Maung Maung Latt
    • EC and members of BADA
    • EC and members of OMC
    • Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins (vocalists, dancers, …)
    • Supporters of the Democratic Movement.
  • Gathering (August 2018)

    Gathering (August 2018)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    Aug 1
    Aug 2
    Aug 3
    Aug 4

    69ers have a monthly breakfast gathering at Royal Rose (Taw Win Hnin Si). The August 2018 gathering was hosted by

    • Daw Myint Myint (C)
    • U Soe Thein (Peter, EE)

    Several attendees including U Aung Min (M) posted the photos on their walls and on the RIT69ers page.

  • NorCal RITAA (July 2018)

    NorCal RITAA (July 2018)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    Summer Picnic

    Summer Picnic

    July 2018

  • Sydney (June 2006)

    Gatherings

    • In June 2006, I visited Sydney to attend three gatherings.

    Annual Dinner of Engineers

    • Mostly RIT Alumni
    • Saya U Myo Win (M, GBNF)
    • Saya U Hla Myint (Charlie, M)
    • U Win Boh (Robert, EC)
    • U Aye Win Hlaing (La La, EE) & Daw Phyu Phyu Latt (Christine, A)
    • U Thet Tun (M) : President of MEAA
    • U Htay Aung (Victor, EC) gave us dinner tickets
    • U Wynt Khin Zaw (A) arranged the venue
    • U Sein Win (C) : Secretary of MEAA (later President)
    • Po So Chins / Mike Khes
    • …

    UCC Alumni Gathering

    • Hosted by Saya U Aung Zaw (UCC, now GBNF)
    • Sumptuous meal by Daw Kyawt and several alumni and family
    • Paid respect to Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe (Founder of UCC, now GBNF) and Sayagyi Dr. Freddie Ba Hli (National Advisor, Board Member of UCC, now GBNF)
    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is sydney-2006-1-1.jpg
    • Ko Tha Hlaing (EC83) is the elder son of Dr. Freddie Ba Hli and my cousin Daw Myint Thwe (now GBNF).
    • He gave me the book “This is Sydney” as a present.
    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is book-6.jpg

    Lunch for Old Paulians

    • In Olympic Park (venue of 2000 Summer Olympics)
    • Organized by Dr. Thann Naing (Bonnie Kywe, Geology)
    • Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint (SPHS60) came from Canberra
    TOKM
    • U Myo Lwin (Stanely Saw, M71) came from Auckland, New Zealand
    • William Smythe (former Burma selected in Swimming and Diving)
    • a former Brother / Saya

  • 69ers

    U Hla Min

    Saya U Myat Htoo (Chair, BOD, Norcal RITAA) presented the award to U Hla Min (EC69) at the Annual Dinner

    Alumni Appreciation Award
    Award presented by U Myat Htoo

    U Han Sein / A Pho Gyi (GBNF)

    • Represented RIT in Swimming, Water Polo, Diving and Basketball
    • Became a Tone Kyaw when he was inadvertently listed as GBNF in the 69er Contact List (in 1999).
    • He was sentenced to 20 years by a kangaroo court (along with Dr. Aung Khin Sint and Ma Thidar – Sanchaung). He was released after 17 years.
    • He was a Thet Kyee of Latha Township.
    • He took photos at the 69er gatherings and distributed them to selected attendees.
    • He succumbed to Covid
    U Han Sein (GBNF), U Ngwe Tun, Roland (U Khin Maung Win), U Sein Myint (K K Wong), Cyril (U Than Hla), Oscar (U Tin Aung Win) at 69er Breakfast Gathering

    U Ngwe Tun / Tun Tun

    • Every month, he offers Garawa money to Ashin Ukkamsa (Victor Aung Chaw) and Ashin Pannagavesaka (Bobby Myo Tun) in memory of his beloved spouse.
    • He offered to host the 69er breakfast gathering for Sept 2022, but the gathering did not take place. Apology was offered by U Aung Min and team.

    U Khin Maung Win / Roland Thein

    • He was known for his debating skills.
    • He also competed in Scrabble tournaments.

    U Sein Myint / K K Wong

    • He represented RIT in Swimming, Water Polo and Rowing.
    • He is a major Donor for 69er HCF and EE69er HCF.
    • He spends time in Singapore, California and Myanmar.

    U Than Hla / Cyril Ba Than

    • Son of U Ba Than
    • Also known as Cyril or Cyril Than Hla
    • He took Training / Studies abroad.

    U Tin Aung Win / Oscar Than Nyunt

    • He is a Moderator of RIT Updates FB group.
    • He uses Zoom to keep in touch with selected 69ers and HIC Colleagues.
    • He gave me rides to attend 69er gatherings.

    U Tin Htut / Harry / Mon Yu

    • Hobbies (old and new)
    • Writing (Hmu Tin encouraged him)
    • Music
    • Tai Chi
    • Very Senior 69er
    Harry Tin Htut

    Albert Kyaw Min

    • Founder & President, Myanmar Pulp & Paper
    • Current President (AFPPI)
      Meeting (of 8 countries) in Thailand
    • Guitarist & Vocalist along with Daniel Tint Lwin (Singapore) & Robert Win Boh (Australia)
    Seated : Nay Win (GBNF), Win Boh (Robert), Yi Yi Khaing (Vilma), Minn Aung (Hla Thaung)
    Standing: Win Naing (Dicky), Tint Lwin (Daniel), Aung Myint, Kyaw Min (Ei Kun)

    Notes

    • U Chit Po Po’s father is U Ba Than (co-founder of Burma Chamber of Commerce). U Chit Po Po (GBNF) represented RIT in Rowing. He is an expert Harpist.
    • Many 69ers have less or no time for their hobbies. e.g U Tin Maung Aye (Accordion)
    • 119 members (about a third of the Class) are GBNF. 20+ passed away (within the past two years; mostly due to Covid)
    • Some have medical problems.

  • September

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    Background

    • 7th month of old Roman calendar
      “Sept” means Seven.
    • 10th month of Gregorian calendar
    • It has 30 days.

    Events

    September 18, 1988

    • The hopes of Multi-party Democracy movement was crushed by another brutal military take over.
    • Bogyoke Saw Maung led the Coup. He was later ousted by Than Shwe and Khin Nyunt.

    Autumnal Equinox

    • For Northern Hemisphere
      On or around September 22

    Occasional

    • End of Burmese Buddhist Lent
      The Full Moon Day of Thadinkyut falls in September or October.

    Movie & Song

    • Come September

    Birthdays

    • Saya U Tin Htut (M)
    U Tin Htut
    • Saya U Lay Aung (M)
    • U Tin Htoon (A60)
    U Tin Htoon
    • U Ngwe Tun (C69)
    U Ngwe Tun (Standing Rightmost)
    • U Myint Soe (M79)
    • Sayama Daw May Saw Lwin
    • U Mya Thein (Kenneth)
    • Dr. Aye Kyaw (Victor)

    M75

    M75 members paid respect to Sayagyi U Ba Than on September 25, 2017.

    Attendees include

    • H.E. U Win Khaing (now GBNF)
    • U Tin Soe
    • U Than Po (now GBNF)
    • U Hla Win
    • U Ye Lin Oo
    • U Zaw Min

    The group attended the birthday celebration ceremony and received blessing.