HlaMin

Author: Hla Min (Lifelong Learner)

  • Speech

    Silence

    • There is a saying, “Speech is silver. Silence golden.”
    • It does not mean we should stay silent all the time.
      If one does not have meaningful things to say, it is better to remain silent rather than rambling or engaging in “frivolous talk”.

    Length of Speech

    The length of a speech varies.

    There are

    • Elevator speeches (lasting less than a minute)
    • Impromptu Speech (e.g. Table Topics lasting one or two minutes)
    • Icebreakers (lasting four to six minutes)
    • Prepared Speeches (lasting a specified time : typically five to seven minutes)
    • TED and TEDx talks (lasting about 18 minutes)
    • Keynote speeches (45 – 60 minutes with Q&A).

    Message and Messenger

    Both are important.

    • The message should have value.
      A speech should provide a “take away” or an “action item”.
    • The audience is more receptive to a well known speaker (e.g. Celebrities).

    Speeches

    • During our younger days, I had a book of the 40+ speeches given by notable people (e.g. Winston Churchill).
    • Rotary Club, Kiwani’s Club and Toastmasters International provide guidance and training for communication.
    • I am a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) at Toastmasters International.

    Gettysburg Address

    • President Abraham Lincoln was requested to give a “few appropriate remarks” at Gettysburg.
    • His address consisted of ten sentences.
    • It was delivered in less than two minutes (which was not long enough for the official photographer to record the historic moment).

    CMU

    • Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is known for “The Last Lecture”, where a Professor presents to an audience (e.g. those present for his forthcoming Retirement).
    • Randy Pausch, who was diagnosed with Cancer, gave an up-lifting “The Last Lecture”. It can be viewed on You Tube. It has also been made into a book.

    Steve Jobs

    • Steve Jobs gave a Commencement Speech at Standford University. It can be viewed on the Internet. In three parts, he connected the dots (e.g. taking a Calligraphy course to the aesthetic Font designs on Apple Computers.

  • Score

    • Soccer
      Early days : Win (2 Marks), Draw / Tie (1 Mark), Loss (0 Mark)
      Later days : Win (3 Marks), Draw / Tie (1 Mark), Loss (0 Mark)
    • Chess
      Win (1 Point), Draw (0.5 point), Loss (0 Point)
    • Examination
      Marks or Grades
      Credit or Distinction
    • Perfect score
      In examination : e.g. 100 out of 100 marks
      In Gymnastics and Diving : e.g. 10 out of 10
    • Value of Twenty
      e.g. “Four scores and seven years ago” (Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln)
    • Music
      Sheet / Composition
  • Perfect

    Perfect

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    Parami ပါရမီ

    • Pali word
    • Usually rendered as “Perfection“.

    There are Thirty Paramis:

    • Ten Paramis
    • Ten Upapa Paramis
      Higher grade Paramis
    • Ten Paramattha Paramis
      Highest grade Paramis

    Marks

    In our younger days, a score of 100 marks in an examination is considered perfect.

    Our High School Mathematics teacher Brother Clementian (former Brother Director who continued teaching till his final days) trained us to take an hourly weekly test comprising of three questions. So, most students were on track to complete the three hour Matriculation examination in two hours or less and gain Distinction in Mathematics.

    A score of 100 could not single out Mathematical geniuses like Dr. Min Oo (SPHS63, Second in Burma, Two doctorates in Mathematics from Germany) and gifted scholars and researchers like Dr. Khin Maung U (SPHS63, First in Burma, MD).

    Gymnastics

    1972 Munich Olympics saw all judges gave a young woman gymnast Olga Korbut (Soviet Belarusian) perfect Tens.

    1976 Montreal Olympics saw more perfect Tens for Nadia Comanche (Romanian).

    Some critics wonder how to judge superior performances in the future gymnastic competitions.

    Perfect shapes

    The ancient sages appreciate perfect shapes such as equilateral triangles, squares, regular polygons and the circle.

    Some astronomers felt that the planets should orbit in perfect cycles. To calculate the path of the planets, they hard to resort to the use of epicycles in their models.

    Kepler found out that the planets conserve their energy by following an elliptical path. The planets will need far more effort and energy to maintain the supposedly perfect circular paths.

    An ellipse has two foci, a major axis and a minor axis. It is a supposedly imperfect shape, but the limiting case approaches a circle with a center (for a single focus) and the lengths of the major axis and minor axis being equal.

    High cost for Perfection

    The search for perfection may have some negative effects in research.

    The 90/90 rule says that in the search for the perfect completion of a project, the last 10 percent could take up resources equal to that of the first 90 percent.

    Charles Babbage had excellent ideas for the Difference Engine and the Analytical Engine, but his search for perfection in the design and implementation left both projects incomplete.

    Imperfectly Perfect

    • I am imperfectly perfect.
    • Usually type straight for most of my posts without reference to notes and references.
    • Several readers pointed out the discrepancies and errors.
    • Glad to share my memories, experience and knowledge.
    • Some inquiring minds might transform my writings into high quality texts for posterity.

  • Oct 2017

    Class of 69

    The Class of 69 (mostly M69) paid respect to Sayagyi U Ba Than on October 1, 2017.

    Attendees include

    • U Aung Min
    • U Tin Shein (Chinlon)

    The group attended the birthday celebration ceremony and received blessing from sayargyi. The group handed over garawa birthday gifts that they had collected before and on the monthly breakfast gathering held earlier that day.

    Sayagyi U Ba Than

    He usually performs dana with the “garawa” money he received for his birthday and for attending the SPZPs and mini-SPZPs.

    He has supported various charitable associations for the needy, the sick, the blind, the deaf and dumb, old people and “Nar Ye” . They include

    • Little Sisters for the Poor
    • U Hla Tun Foundation
    • Jivitadana
    • Hnin Si Gone Bo Bwa Yeik Tha
    • Mary Chapman
    • Kyaw Thu Nar Ye (…)
    • Medical Clinics

    On or around October 2 (his Birthday) every year, hevoffers “soon kwyay” at a monastery.

    Soon kwyay was held on October 2, 2017 at Yaw Sayadaw’s monastery . It was attended by sayas, alumni, relatives and friends.

  • Profiles

    • HMEE stands for History of Myanmar Engineering Education project. At one meeting, Saya U Aung Hla Tun requested U Ohn Khine (M70) to co-ordinate with me in getting the profiles of successful alumni in the USA.
    • Many years ago, Edison Paw wrote about some BAPS members. They include U Tin Myint (David Ko, M67, GBNF) and Benny Tan (M70).
    • In the RIT Alumni International Newsletter, we posted some articles about U Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, EC70, GBNF) and U Khin Maung Oo (Ivan Lee, M69).
      There were also biographies of some sayas and sayamas, but they need to be updated.
      We welcome readers to enhance existing profiles or submit new profiles.
    U Aung Hla Tun
    Benny Tan

  • Methodist

    • Methodist was founded as a revival movement of the Church of England.
    • Methodist became a Protestant Denomination, and spread world wide.

    Church and Schools

    Burma had three kinds of Methodist Churches and schools.

    • English Methodist
    • Burmese Methodist
    • Chinese Methodist

    MEHS

    • MEHS stands for Methodist English High School. It was rebuilt after the War with the donation from the American Methodists.
    • It is recognized as “Yangon Heritage Building”.
    • MEHSA is an alumni association. The web site used to have a validation process to vet members.
    • Daw Aung San Suu Kyi attended MEHS before she left Burma to accompany her mother Daw Khin Kyi (Burmese Ambassador to India). Her elder brother U Aung San Oo matriculated in 1959 from SPHS.
    • Myo Min siblings
      Patricia, Pamela, Uno, Beauty
    • Tan siblings
      Yu Sein (Selwyn), Yu Beng (Benny, M70), Kwan
    • Teoh siblings
      named alphabetically from A to O) : Cecil (C63), Edward (M64) are RIT alumni.
      Kenny was web master of the MEHS Alumni web site
    • Wun siblings
      Edgar (Nyan Soe), Peter (Htin Kyaw) and Rosalind (Htar Cho)
    • Yu Khin siblings
      Marie (GBNF), Richard (GBNF)
    • MEHS 61
      Richard Yu Khin, Selwyn Tan, Hla Yee Yee, Winsome Ba Thike, Victor (Kyaw Sein Koe)
    • MEHS 63
      Kenny Wong (M69), Tint Lwin (Danny, M69), Nay Win (M69, GBNF), Kyaw Min Thein (Kenneth, C69), Saw Yu Tint (Alice, T69), Yi Yi Khaing (Vilma, ChE69) are RIT alumni.
      Myo Shin (Robert), Zaw Mon (Glenn), Swe Aye (Lynston), Khin Nyo Thet (GBNF) became medical doctors.
  • Meditation

    Meditation

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    Types of Meditation

    The Scriptures describe 40 kinds of Meditation.

    The methods generally fall into

    • Samatha (Concentration Meditation)
    • Vipassana (Insight Meditation)

    Samatha

    In Samatha, one chooses a “Meditation Object”. In the early days, some practitioners chose a white or colored disk (Kasina) as a Meditation Object. By fixing one’s eyes and thoughts on the Meditation Object, one can develop Concentration.

    Some practitioners chose “Ana Pana” (Out-breath and In-breath). For example, one can note the direction, direction and hardness/softness of the breath.

    One may attain one level of more Jhana (Absorption).

    Vipassana

    Vipassana book

    Vipassana means

    • various ways of seeing
    • seeing things as they truly are.

    A practitioner may choose a Primary Object for the meditation session. Depending on the tradition of the Mediation Master, the Primary Object can be a nostril, nge dait (part of the head), abdomen, or the body (e.g. touching the mat or floor).

    Then, one practices one of the “Four Foundations of Mindfulness” by being aware of the Kaya (Physicality), Vedana (Feelings), Citta (Mind) and Dhamma (General artifacts for meditation).

    One may practice Meditation using one of four postures.

    One may be able to experience

    • Nama and Rupa
    • Anicca, Dukkha, Anatta
    • Stages of development ultimately leading to Liberation.

    In the West, some people try Meditation

    • to experience relaxation and tranquility
    • as an alternative medical treatment (allowed by some Health Insurance).

  • Meanings can change

    The meaning of words can change with time.

    Computer

    In the early days, a “computer” is a person who computes (e.g. tables for firing artillery). Even in some NASA projects, astronauts ask expert mathematicians (including a black female) to compute trajectories to check against the calculations made by electronic computers in the space capsule.

    Compiler

    Also, a “compiler” is a person who compiles data (e.g. historical data).

    Books sent to wrong departments

    During our UCC days, several computer books were ordered through the Trade Corporation (and related departments).

    Some wrongly sent “Compiler Construction for Digital Computers” book to the Ministry of Construction, and “The Anatomy of a Compiler” book to the Institute of Medicine.

    Trade marks

    iPad and iPhone are designed and manufactured by Apple.

    The trademark iPad belongs to Fujitsu. Former colleagues of mine worked on Fujitsu’s Intelligent Pad (iPad). The trademark was transferred to Apple.

    The trademark iPhone belongs to Cisco, which experimented with “Internet Phone” (or equivalent). The trademark was transferred to Apple.

  • Myanmar Community

    Myanmar Community

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    There are many Myanmar Communities around the world.

    OMC

    One Myanmar Community (OMC) is based in Union City, Northern California. Its main activity and fund raiser is the Annual Thingyan Festival held in May (for logistic reasons). A “Thet Kyee Pu Zaw Pwe” co-hosted by TDS (Theravada Dhamma Society) is an integral component of the Festival. There are sumptuous food and a plethora of entertainment by the young and the old, and from near and far (some from Myanmar).

    Activities

    OMC has helped the Myanmar Community in many ways. The following is a sample :

    • Fund raising for “Flood Relief” Programs in Myanmar
    • Co-hosting San Francisco Bay Area Literary Talks
    • Language Classes (Myanmar, English Japanese, Korean)
    • Dance Classes (e.g. by Thida Win (Moe Nat Thuzar))
    • Musical Evenings (e.g. by Gita Hmu Tin Ko Ko)
    • Fitness Program (e.g. Yoga)
    • Preparation Classes (DMV license, Citizenship)
    • Knowledge sharing (Medical insurance, Study grant)
    • Meeting with Myanmar Ambassador and Consul General of Los Angeles
    • Highlight Myanmar Culture in selected Bay Area Events (e.g. Asian Heritage)
  • Memory

    Memory

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    Types of Memory

    They include

    • Long term memory
      It is analogous to disk (or similar) storage in a computer system
    • Short term memory
      It is analogous to RAM (Random Access Memory)
    • Photographic memory
      Some people could glance at documents and recall them
    • Associative memory
      Facts are easier to recall if they are associated and chunked
    • False memory
      Some innocent people were victimized by key witnesses with “unreliable” memory

    Study of Memory

    • The study of memory transcends medical research, sociology, linguistics, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence.
    • It is often done by a team of multi-disciplinary experts.
    • Aging contributes loss of short term memory or the decline in the ability to retain short term memory. My younger cousin sister said, “I forgot what I wanted to say”.
    • One elderly could recall names of his primary school classmates, but could not recognize his youngest grand son that grew up in his hands.
    • Memory loss may be temporary. Ko Tin Oo (M87, SDYF, RITAA) temporarily forgot his name, but uttered “I pledged my donation for the YTU library, but I have not made the donation.”The memory lapse was attributed to a fall that hurt his back.

    Memory Feats

    • Mingun Tipitaka Sayadaw U Vicittasarabhivamsa was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Record for his phenomenal memory that he displayed in the Sixth Buddhist Council held at Kaba Aye (World Peace) Pagoda from 1954 – 1956.
    • He not only remembered 8000+ pages of the Scriptures, but he could also point out the variants of some Suttas while he took the Oral tests for the Tipitaka Examination.
    • He passed the Oral and Written tests for Vinaya (Monastic rules of conduct), Sutta (Discourses) and Abhidhamma (Ultimate reality) with Distinction.
    • Sayadaw became the Grand Custodian of the Tipitaka (Three Baskets) and was the key player in the Sixth Buddhist Council.
    • Dale Carnegie wrote that Harry S. Truman won the presidency because his campaign manager could address 50,000+ voters by their first name.
    • I thought that I should try for 500 or 5000 names.
    • Some trained / developed their memory to compete in memory contests (e.g. recall cards, numbers).

    My Memory

    • When I was in Middle School, Chauk Htutt Kyee Sayadaw came to our house to give a dhamma talk. After Sayadaw returned, I recounted the main points of the talk.
    • I have a built-in recorder and a reasonably good memory, but the use of association, chunking, mnemonics, and “learning how to learn” helped to make my memory better.
    • Not everyone appreciated my memory.
    • One person thought that I was dyslexic when I wrote English words and sentences backwards and upside down.
    • I also wrote a few in mirror image. Another said, “What’s the big deal? You just have to remember patterns.”
    • I often start a talk –tongue in cheek — by saying, “My brain is damaged. It’s easy to remember, but it’s hard to forget.”