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
U Silananda
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
Jan 19, 1987 · Center for Burma Studies at Northern Illinois University at “DeKalb”- The Center will have its formal opening on July 29 and 30, 1987. Richard Cooler, the Director of the new Center, will send out the detailed announcement !
I have arranged the key note address by U Nu, the first Prime Minister of Burma for the opening ceremony. U Nu also gave a summer class in “Buddhism” prior to the opening ceremony.
Here is a picture that I took of the group as we toured the Lake Shore one day.
You will notice U Nu (First and Last Prime Minister of the Union of Burma), late Professor Than Tun (History, Visiting Scholar in residence) & Mrs. Than Tun. Also, Burmese Lecturer Saya U Kyaw Hlaing. Dr. Cynthia Htaik is just behind U Nu. I still have some hair on my head! The Standard Oil Building can be seen in the back ground.
Standard Oil Building (Chicago), Illinois, is now known as the Aon Center.
Editor’s Notes
Dr. Yan Naing Lwin is Emeritus Professor and Chair of the Physics Department at Western Illinois University (WIU).
U Saw Tun is Head of the Burmese Department at Northern Illinois University (NIU).
Please allow me to use your forum to express my great sorrow on learning of Saya U Myo Win’s demise.
We certainly lost a valuable person while engaged in his professional life. His exuberance and optimism knew no bounds. I had the privilege of enjoying U & Mrs Myo Win’s hospitality at Wagga Wagga on my tour of Australia.
My deepest condolences to Noreen and family.
[Sayagyi U] Aung Khin
Canada
From the Teoh family
On behalf of the Teoh family, and the rest of MEHS schoolmates, we offer our sincere condolences to Melvin’s family.
Melvin and Pearl Ba Tin are fellow graduates of the original Methodist English High School (MEHS) of Rangoon.
In 1972, when I was leaving for the U.S., my mother-in-law recommended/sponsored me to be a monk at Mahasi Sayadaw’s Sasana Yeiktha, Rangoon for 10 days.
Started meditating there, I was surprised to meet Melvin who was also in monkhood. The two of us, the evil two, caused much consternation with some senior monks, because we presented them with provocative and/or audacious (Western style) questions.
We were summoned to the presence of the Mahasi Sayadawgyi himself. We explained that as young engineers, we were naturally precocious (and suspicious) of any assumptions and beliefs unless backed up by solid proof research data. We could not design machinery, without knowing the qualities and of steel, etc.
The Sayadawgyi advised us to attain wisdom and the truth of Nirvana for ourselves thru further meditation. He gave us the example of a tortoise trying to explain to the rest of the fishes, the phenomena of a desert dry land. Seek further and ye shall find.
I really remember and thankful for that my life changing 10 day retreat and Melvin was part of that.
Melvin, my friend, I miss you. May you attain Nirvana soon.
Edward Teoh (M 64) & Khin Thein Yi (Chem 65), Houston, Texas
From Saya Dr. San Hla Aung
Dear U Hla Min,
I am so saddened by the unexpected news of Saya Melvin U Myo Win’s passing away. I met and talked with him briefly during the 2016 SPZP in Yangon and he was looking just fine then. I have known Melvin’s family for a long time and am now joining them in their sorrow.
Kindly convey my heartfelt condolences to Melvin’s wife Noreen, sister Pearl, and their families on the recent loss of a beloved husband, brother, and head of the family.
My prayers also for Melvin to reach a higher abode in his next existence.
Thanking you,
[Saya Dr.] San Hla Aung [C58]
From Saya Dr. Nyo Win
I’m saddened to learn about Melvin’s passing away. Melvin and I were from the class of 65 ME. We both joined the faculty after graduation. He taught in the Agri Dept and I in the ME. I remembered well his smile and friendly chats wherever we got together. I want to extend my deepest sympathy and condolences to Melvin’s family. May you Rest In Peace.
[Saya Dr.] Nyo Win [M65]
From Saya Dr. Tin Win
Dear Ko Hla Min,
I am very sad to learn that U Myo Win had left us. I was away visiting my eldest sister who is in Hospital in Houston, TX, and was very much surprised to see the sad news when I got home last night.
I spent over a year sharing an apartment with Ko Myo Win, Ko Aung Soe (Math), and Dr. Ko Lay (Mandalay MC) in 1968-9 while he studied for M.Sc. at Melbourne University, Australia. We also worked together in the ME Department at RIT until 1976. He then pursued a successful academic career in Australia. He put in a lot of effort to help bring/apply Australian Technology to Agricultural practices in Myanmar while he was working, and after retiring.
He was always optimistic, had a very good nature, and was liked by everyone. He was a good husband and father, and a very proud grandfather. He was also very friendly and always ready to help anyone. I remember him always enjoying tinkering with his cars as well as those of his friends.
He will be missed by all who had the good fortune to know him.
My deepest condolences to Noreen and family.
[Saya Dr.] Tin Win [M62]
From Maurice Chee
We are saddened to learn the passing away of saya U Myo Win.
He was our saya for the fluid mechanics lab.
Please convey my deepest condolences and sympathy to sayakadaw and family.
May saya rest in peace.
Maurice Chee, M75
From Saya Charlie Hla Myint
Ko Tin Aung Win,
Can you please pass our heartfelt condolences to Saya U Myo Win’s family?
The sad news came in yesterday from an early morning call from Ko Henry Thet Tun.
It came in as a shock because I never heard of U Myo Win’s condition prior.
Melvin, Dr Kyaw Sein, U Kyaw Sein et al are class mates of mine & we graduated in 1965 and our group joined Mechanical Engineering Dept same day.
Our prayers for a transition to a higher plane of existence to U Myo Win’s soul.
Saya (Charlie) Hla Myint (M65)
Sydney
From Stanley Saw
I am deeply saddened to learn of Saya U Myo Win passing away.
We remember the several RIT functions in Sydney where we discussed interesting developmental projects.
Our heartfelt condolences to Ma Ma Nu and family, Ko Tin Aung Win and Dorothy.
Stanley [Saw, M71] and Sandra
(Auckland. New Zealand)
From Saya Dr. Kyaw Sein
I am very much surprised and shocked to learn that my best friend Melvin Ba Tin had passed away so suddenly. When I last met him at SPZP 2016 he seemed to be in very good health alert and energetic.
We were together and very intimate since the time we started studying at Yankin College. He is two months younger than me.
I just called Noreen Aung Kyaw (Nu Nu Yee) and felt so sorry with an aching heart.
I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathy and most deepest condolences to Noreen and family.
May his soul rest in peace.
From U Hla Oo
Saya U Myo Win taught us a couple of subjects in our third and fourth year mechanical classes. He was the patron of our Automobile Club at RIT Mechanical Engineering Dept and he left RIT for FIJI in 1978. The attached was the group photo taken at his farewell party given by our Automobile Club.
I still remember when we asked him if he would be coming back to RIT and Burma he showed us the visible star sign on the success line on his left palm and said he was going to achieve better future overseas. We were all surprised that we did not know he knew Palmistry well too. Later I found out he became a lecturer or a professor at Charles Sturt University in Waga Waga of Australia.
I ended up in Australia in late 1980s but I never had a chance to meet him again as he was in Waga Waga at 700 km away from Sydney where I used to live. When I had to visit Charles Sturt in late 2000s I didn’t meet him there as he was already retired and living in Canberra by then.
Rest in Peace Saya,
Hla Oo (Mech 1980)
Updates (by Hla Min)
Saya U Kyaw Sein is now GBNF.
The receipt from Saya U Myo Win’s farewell has been shared by readers of various FB groups.
