HlaMin

Author: Hla Min (Lifelong Learner)

  • Noble Burmese Tradition

    Paying respect

    Paying respect to Sayas for their metta & cetana is a tradition that is unique to Burma / Myanmar. The tradition is alive and well.

    Saya Pu Zaw Pwes

    There have been seven world wide SPZPs :

    • SPZP-2000 (USA) : hosted by RIT Alumni International
    SPZP-2000
    • SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007, SPZP-2010 (Singapore) : hosted by RIT sayas & alumni in Singapore
    • SPZP-2004, SPZP-2012, SPZP-2016 (Yangon) : hosted by RIT sayas & alumni in Myanmar
    • SPZP-2000 was cancelled due to the pandemic.

    Alumni

    Many alumni are active in the following:

    • SDYF (Swel Daw Yeik Foundation)
    • RITAA (RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association)
    • MES (Myanmar Engineering Society)
    • MEC (Myanmar Engineering Council)

    HMEE

    HMEE 1
    HMEE 2
    HMEE 3

    “History of University Engineering Education in Burma/Myanmar” (HMEE-2012) was published in time for SPZP-2012.

    • The project’s initiators included Saya U Soe Paing, Sayagyi U Ba Than and several sayas and alumni (See Acknowledgement in the Book).
    • Saya U Aung Hla Tun and team (including Yours Truly) compiled the book.
    • The draft for the first two sections were prepared by Saya U Soe Paing and team.
    • Ko Ohn Khine (M70) translated Section 1 and summarized Section 2.
    • Ko Ohn Khine’s translations have been revised by Saya U Soe Paing.
    • Saya U Aung Hla Tun suggests that the Book is due for revision/update every five years (or so).
    • Several meetings have been held for HMEE-2018 (follow up project to HMEE-2012 mentioned above.

    YTU Library Modernization Project

    • Donations — large and small — are coming in.
    • U Khin Maung Tun (T78), Daw Myint Myint (C69), Saya Dr. Myo Khin (C70) and Daw Mya Nwe (Winsome, C73), Saya U Tin Htut (M60) … donated K100 Lakhs each (or more) for the Project.
    • Thanks to Ma Nan Khin Nwe (83 Intake) and team. The team had incrementally published the list of donors.
    • Phase One : The construction for adding a storey is completed.

    Archives

    • The YTU Library could/should have a section to help remember our beloved alma mater, our sayas and alumni activities.
    • Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi endorsed Ko Benny Tan’s proposal to archive the mementos.
    • I have requested several class representatives to record (both formally and informally) their gatherings.

    HCF (Health Care Funds)

    • Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund for RIT Sayas
    • U Khin Maung Tun and family Fund for Vision Care
    • Swel Daw Yeik Foundation
    • Others : by discipline and/or class

    Accreditation

    We would be glad to hear about the progress of the Accreditation …

    RIT related Facebook pages and web sites

    • hlamin.com
    • RIT Updates
    • Swel Daw Yeik Foundation
    • RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association
    • NorCal RITAA
    • Google Group for Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65
    • Google Group for RIT Updates
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    SPZ 1
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    SPZ 2
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    SPZ 3
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    SPZ 4

  • Windsor Trip 2018

    Gathering at Windsor, Canada

    Paying respect to Sayagyi U Aung Khin

    • Saya U Tin Win (M62) & Daw Lily Win (Khin Hta Yee, T72)
    Lily, Saya UAK & Saya DTW
    • Saya U Htun Aung Kyaw (ChE67)
    • Saya U Aung Myint (M69)
    • U Khin Maung Oo (Ivan Lee, M69)
    Saya UAK & Ivan
    • U Frederick Thet Gyi (M69),
    • U Tint Lwin (Daniel, M69)
    • They visited Windsor, Canada on 23rd June, 2018 to pay respect to Sayagyi U Aung Khin (Former Professor & Head of Mechanical Engineering).
    Windsor 3
  • Working People’s Daily (WPD)

    Working People’s Daily (WPD)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    WPD and Loke Tha Pyi Thu Nayt Zin (လုပ်သားပြည်သူ့နေ့စဉ်) were two newspapers introduced by the Revolutionary Council & Government.

    Chief Editors of WPD

    • U Khin Maung Latt was appointed as the first Chief Editor. He later resigned when Number One asked him if he wanted to be an Ambassador.
      Daw Khin Myo Chit replied, “Ko Latt can go back to teaching”.
    U Khin Maung Latt, Daw Khin Myo Chit and young Khin Maung Win (later Dr.)
    • U Than Saw succeeded U Khin Maung Latt as Chief Editor. U Soe Myint, Assistant Editor, became U Than Saw’s son-in-law. U Soe Myint later became Chief Editor of Guardian.
    • G. Ko Lay (RUBC Gold), son of “Motley” Ko Ko, was Chief Editor at the time when I wrote poems and translations for WPD.

    Sunday Supplement

    The Sunday Supplement published translations by well known authors and scholars such as

    • MMT (U Myint Thein, Former Chief Justice, Former Ambassador)
    • Tet Toe (U Ohn Pe, Lexicographer)
    • ZMT (U Zaw Myint Thein, Former ambassador)
    • Sao Hso Holm (English Honors First Class, LLM, Former Sawbwa, Son of Arzani Mong Pawn Sabwa)

    I was the exception.

    • Daw Khin Swe Hla, who wanted to encourage aspiring writers, requested me to translate “Nge Thay Loe” (short story by Saya U Thu Kha).
    • My translation “Still So Young” earned Fifty Kyats.
    • Maung Hlaing Phyo is one of my pen names.
    • Saya U Thu Kha was given remuneration of Fifty Kyats.
    Still So Young

  • Pubbhana Sutta

    Paritta
    U Silananda
    Pa Yeik Kyee

    No need to wait for lucky stars

    • 11th Sutta in “Paritta Pali“
    • For protection against bad omens, etc. and gaining happiness

    Four verses from the Scriptures
    Verse numbering per Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa

    • Verse 153 (of “Paritta Pali”)
      Assertion of truth about the “Accomplished One”
    • Verse 162 (of “Paritta Pali”)
      “every day can be auspicious day”
      On the day meritorious deeds are performed, the stars are auspicious, blessings are suspicious, … , the time is auspicious. Offerings made to the holy ones on such a day are well-offered.
    • Verse 163 (of “Paritta Pali”)
      three kinds of felicitous actions : bodily, verbal, mental
    • Verse 164 (of “Paritta Pali”)
      Good deeds
      Good results
      (a) Growth in the Dispensation of Buddha
      (b) have bliss
      (c) free from diseases
      (d) happy together with your relatives
    • The rest composed by compilers

    Pali (in Burmese Script)

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  • Pali Scholars

    U Pe Maung Tin

    U Pe Maung Tin

    He is the first native Professor of Pali and Burmese. He successfully proposed the opening of the Burmese Department at Rangoon University.

    His works include

    • Translation of Visuddhimagga
    • The Expositor (Atthasalai)
    • Burmese Grammar
    • Glass Palace Chronicle (co-author)

    †U Thitthila

    U Thitthila
    • Sayadaw did missionary work in UK. He came back to Burma and taught at the Pali Department for several years before continuing his missionary work abroad.
    • Sayadaw also translated for Pali Text Society (PTS).

    U Shwe Zan Aung

    U Shwe Zan Aung
    • He translated a Buddhist text for Pali Text Society (PTS).

    U Aung Than

    • He was Pali Professor. He was also Commander of the Rangoon University Training Corps.

    U Tin Lwin

    • Pali Professor
    • Also taught at IMBTU.
    • Co-authored the translation of Maha Buddhavamsa (Life Story of the Buddha) by Tipitaka Sayadaw U Vicittasarabhivamsa).

    U Silanandabhivamsa

    U Silananda
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    Protective Suttas
    • He served as Chief Compiler of the Tipitaka Pali-Myanmar Dictionary for the Sixth Buddhist Council.
    • Served as an external examiner for the Pali Department.
    • Chief Resident Monk of Dhammananda Vihara.
    • He wrote books in Burmese and English. “Paritta Pali & Protective Verses” was published by a Thai Devotee as a birthday present for Sayadaw.
    • First Rector of IMBTU

    U Hoke Sein

    Pali Burmese Dictionary
    • He spent over a decade to compile and refine the Pali-English-Burmese Dictionary. U Hoke Sein, son U Saw Hlaing, grand daughter Dr. Cherry Hlaing and two great grand children all stood first in their respective Matriculation examination.

    Mr. Balwant Singh

    • He took Pali Honors.
    • He is RUBC Gold,
    • He was forced to retire as Commissioner of Pegu Division.
    • Joined the United Nations and served as a Security Expert.

    Venerable Nyanatiloka

    Buddhist Dictionary
    • He compiled “Buddhist Dictionary”.

    U Myat Kyaw & U San Lwin

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    • U Myat Kyaw compiled a book of Buddhist terms.
    • U San Lwin translated into English.
    • The book was published by Myanmar Sar Ah Phwe.

  • March 2018

    SF Gathering in March 2018

    Saya U Maung Maung (George, ChE66) and Daw Eng Eng (youngest sister of Saya U Myat Thwin (ChE66, Texas)) hosted a lunch gathering at Hong Kong Flower Lounge

    Attendees :

    • Saya U Aung Myaing (ChE72, then in Bangkok)
    • Daw Gyn Yu (ChE72, then in Bangkok)
    • U Tun Shwe (ChE72, then in California)
    • Daw Trixie Tan (ChE72)
    • Saya U Thein Aung (James, Met72)
    • Daw San San Nyunt (Sandra, M77)

    Update

    • U Aung Myaing and Daw Gyn Yu now spend a lot of their time in California. They hosted lunch gatherings at their daughter’s house. On one occasion, she prepared Mohinga, Nangyi Toke and Beik Kut Kyee Kike.
    Love birds
    • U Tun Shwe is currently staying in Virginia to be close to his daughters.
    U & Mrs. Tun Shwe
    • U Thein Aung and Daw San San Nyunt share their stay in Northern and Southern California.
    Ba La(h) Gyi
    • Saya U Maung Maung and Daw Eng Eng have to drive two hours to attend gatherings in the SF Bay Area. Daw Eng Eng volunteers as a Tai Chi instructor.
    Saya U Maung Maung
    Daw Eng Eng

  • Metta

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    Four Byamaso Taya

    • Metta
      Unbounded Love / Loving Kindness
    • Karuna
      Compassion
    • Mudita
      Altruistic Joy or Sympathetic Joy
    • Uppekkha
      Equanimity

    Metta

    • Pali term
      Written in Burmese as Myitta
    • Rendered as
      Unbounded Love
      Loving Kindness
    • One of the four Bhamaso Taya or Bhama Vihara (along with Karuna, Mudita, and Uppekha)

    Practice

    • Practiced as a form of meditation
    • U Silananda‘s book on Protective Verses has a section on how to practice Loving Kindness Meditation.
    U Silananda
    Paritta
    • Tipitaka Mingun Sayadawgyi recited the Two Methods of sending Metta.
      As mentioned in Metta Sutta
      Alternative: 528 “Metta” (13 x 4 x 12)
      They can be found on YouTube and CDs.
    Tipitaka Mingun Sayadaw
    • “Metta Sutta” is one of the eleven Suttas in “Paritta Pali” (Protective Verses).
      Also known as Karaniya Metta Sutta
      Chanted at most Buddhist ceremonies.

    Books

    • Myitta is covered along with Thitsar (Truth) in Dr. Min Tin Mon‘s book “Myitta and Thitsar“
    • U Thu Kha wrote a book on Metta Sutta.
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    Thu Kha’s book
    • U Jotalankara‘s book explains the 528 Metta.

    General

    • A Physics teacher said, “Myitta So Dar Ah Hlyar Ah Nan Ma Shee Bay Mei Ah Thwar Ah Pyan Shee Bar Thay Dae.”
    • Metta is also used as a name or part of a name.
    • Metta is a Myanmar comedian.
    • Mettananda Vihara is a monastery in Northern California. Moved from Fremont to Castro Valley, and later to Oakland.
    • Metta Vihari is an association that performs Chanting, and also offers food dana at selected gatherings.

    Practicing Metta

    By Way of LOCATION:

    • May I be well, happy and peaceful.
    • May all beings in this house be well, happy and peaceful.
    • May all beings in this area be well, happy and peaceful.
    • May all beings in this city be well, happy and peaceful.
    • May all beings in this country be well, happy and peaceful.
    • May all beings in this world be well, happy and peaceful.
    • May all beings in this universe be well, happy and peaceful.
    • May all beings be well, happy and peaceful.

    By Way of PERSONS:

    • May I be well, happy and peaceful.
    • May my teachers be well, happy and peaceful.
    • May my parents be well, happy and peaceful.
    • May my relatives be well, happy and peaceful.
    • May my friends be well, happy and peaceful.
    • May the indifferent persons be well, happy and peaceful.
    • May the unfriendly persons be well, happy and peaceful.
    • May all meditators be well, happy and peaceful.
    • May all beings be well, happy and peaceful.
  • Donation

    Donation

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    • Donations may be in cash and kind.

    Books

    • Some (Daw Mu Mu Kin, Maurice Chee, Victor Wong) donated books to the YTU Library.
    Daw Mu Mu Kin
    • In the US, most libraries will accept reference books and text books that are less than three years old. The older books are given to “Friends of the Library” for fund raising.

    YTU Library

    • Most sayas and alumni donated cash for the YTU Library Modernization Project.
      Some donated equipment.
      Some offered their expertise.
      Some provided discount for the equipment and services.
    Dr. Myo Khin

    Celebrations

    • Donations are often made to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. Some donate in memory of their loved ones.
    Saya U Ba Than’s birthday Soon Kyway

    Types of Dana

    • Many sayas and alumni offer food dana (e.g to prevent starvation, to appreciate assistance of fire fighters).
    • Some donate for victims of disasters (earthquake, cyclone, fire, and flood).
    • Some sayas (U Ba Than, U Aung Khin, Dr. San Hla Aung, U Tin Htut, U Soe Paing) gave back most of the Garawa money to their preferred charities. I witnessed U Ba Than giving K1 Lakh each to ten charities and U Tin Htut donating K10 Lakhs to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
    U Ba Than, U Aung Min, U Tin Shein
    U Tin Htut

  • Aging

    Senior

    A few years back, I felt uncomfortable to be addressed as “Ah Ba”, “Pho Pho” and to be offered assistance (e.g. wheelchair).

    Now I feel okay to have wheelchair rides at air ports and to have people assist me when I climb up and down hill slopes. I recently had a couple of bike rides on the dirt roads.

    As a senior, I enjoy discounts on trains, buses and selected restaurants.

    I simply hope that my mental faculties will remain sharp and strong.

    Jara (old age) catches even the sport stars like Sayagyi U Ba Toke.

    Sayagyi U Ba Toke

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    U Ba Toke, U Ba Than, U Tin Htut, U Hla Min
    

    Saya is a Phwa Bet Taw of Rangoon University and the first Rangoon University Students’ Strike in December 1920.

    In 2000, Theingi (Saya’s youngest daughter) conveyed us Saya’s wishes to attend SPZP-2000. U Maung Maung Than (M79, Texas) had donated a round trip ticket. Several sayas and alumni donated expenses. Details can be found in “Count down to the Reunion” articles.

    He celebrated his 96th birthday in December 2016 with his children, grand children and great grand children.

    Saya gave a speech in SPZP-2007 about “Longevity”. Saya visited a house in USSR where the 80+ year old host explained about the noise up stairs. “Don’t worry. It’s my 100+ year old uncle quartering with his fourth wife. They will make amends.”

    During my visits to Yangon, I paid respect to Saya.

    U Ohn Khine (M70) gave me a ride in 2012. Saya gave us autographed book. We enjoyed Sayagyi’s accounts. He was a football star, a leader of the Burma Olympic Delegation, and an excellent teacher. Up to his early 80s, Sayagyi could walk to the Shwe Dagon pagoda with his friends. In his 90s, Sayagyi lost some mobility, eye sight and hearing, but he was determined to attend SPZPs.

    In 2016, Saya’s son U Ye Myint and daughter Daw Thynn Thynn (Pansy) made arrangements to give us rides to and back from Saya’s house.

    In early 2018, I called Ma Theingi, Sayagyi’s youngest daughter and asked about Sayagyi. She mentioned that Sayagyi is healthy but because he had lost most teeth, they have to listen carefully to grasp his message.

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    U Ba Toke, U Hla Min
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    Saya U Ba Toke, U Khin Maung Myint

    Saya passed away on December 2, 2020. It was the day after RI U Centennial. It was a few days short of his Centennial Birthday on December 26.

    U Ba Toke 1
    U Ba Toke 2
    U Ba Toke 3
    U Ba Toke 4
    U Ba Toke 5
    U Ba Toke 6
  • Angulima Sutta

    Angulima Sutta

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    Paritta Pali
    • Sayadaw U Silananda recorded the Protective Suttas in Pali and English.
    • The book was published for Sayadaw’s birthday by a Thai Devotee.
    Pa Yeik Kyee
    • Sayadaw U Dhammika (Thamanay Kyaw) wrote a booklet to study the Protective Verses.
    • Theik Kha stands for Training / Practice.

    Angulimala Sutta

    • 9th Sutta in “Paritta Pali”
    • Short but effective
    • Asseveration of truth by an Arahant (formerly notorious or his “garland of [human] fingers”)
    • For easy delivery of expectant mothers
    • Contents: “Oh, sister! Ever since I was reborn in this Noble Birth, I do not remember intentionally taking the life of a being. By this utterance of truth, may there be comfort to you and to the child in your womb.”

    Pali (in Burmese Script)

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