Author: Hla Min (Lifelong Learner)

Sayagyi U Pe Maung Tin

Pali and Burmese Scholar.

Proposed to have a separate Burmese Department.

First native Principal of Rangoon College.

Executive Committee member of Burma Research Society.

The Myanmar Sar Community honored Sayagyi with a bust in December 2019.
Daw Tin Tin Myaing (Brenda, Sayagyi’s daughter) attended the ceremony.
Met her at the Winner Inn.
Sad to learn that her spouse succumbed to COVID-19 in UK a few months ago.

In our middle school we had to study “Myanmar Thadda / Burmese Grammar” written by Sayagyi.

Sayagyi translated two early Sermons :
Dhammacakkapavatana Sutta and Anatta Lekkhana Suttana into English.
The three-language edition of the Suttas was published by U Tha Win.

Saya’s early students
ICS U Sein Tin (Theikpan Maung Wa)
U Thein Han (Zawgyi)
U Wun (Minthuwun)

Dr. Htin Aung

• Principal of Rangoon College.
• First native Rector of the University of Rangoon.
• Per Dr. Yan Naing Lwin, Dr. Htin Aung accompanied Prime Minister U Nu to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1954. After retirement, Dr. Htin Aung was appointed “Amassador” to Ceylon.
• Per Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint, his Ba Dwe was recalled back to Burma by the Foreign Office. One day, the then Number One asked Saya what he was doing in Burma and that he did not ask the Foreign Office to recall him. Saya went to UK to continue his research and writing.
• Old alumni may have studied Saya’s books such as “Thirty Burmese Tales” and “Burmese Drama”.
• Saya is a scholar, a prolific writer, a historian and a folklorist.
• Saya’s siblings: ICS U Tin Tut, Dean of Law U Kyaw Myint, Chief Justice U Myint Thein, Kyauksar expert Daw Khin Mya Mu, Khit San poet Daw Khin Saw Mu, English lecturer Daw Tin Saw Mu

Early Burmese Scholars to the UK

• Dr. Hla Myint (Economics), Dr. Tha Hla (Geology) and Dr. Maung Maung Kha (Meteorological Physics) in the UK about the same time.
• They later became Professor and Head of Department in their disciplines. They retired as Rector of the University of Rangoon.

Dr. Hla Myint

• Dr. Hla Myint continued as Researcher / Scholar / Administrator in UK.
• Ther is an Economic Theory with Saya’s name.

Dr. Tha Hla

• Dr. Tha Hla served as UN Advisor in several countries and settled in Thailand.
• There are several anecdotes about Saya.
  Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt (M60) knows the details.
• During his stay in Thailand (while waiting for a US visa), U Tin Maung Nyunt was recommended by Dr. Tha Hla to be a proof reader for the Nation newspaper.
• Saya offered U Tin Maung Nyunt (and several other Burmese) his collection of Whiskey and drinks, but added, “Do not spoil Whiskey by adding water or soda. You can drink “Ah Yet”, but never let Ah Yet” drink you.”
• When a minister protested the States Scholarship for Saya’s bright but left-leaning student, Saya did not back out. He pushed the nomination through during a period when the minister was away.
• Saya calmly convinced the students and crowd (following the agitator Ajala) to disperse
• Director Thar Du was not happy when Saya recommended some parts of the movie to be revised.
  Thar Du was surprised when Saya voted his movie for an Academy Award.
  Saya explained that the two cases needed different consideration.

Dr. Maung Maung Kha

• Shwe Ku May Hnin remembered Saya Kha’s smile when a student (from the Social and Reading Club) asked him, “Saya, will you continue the tradition of Di Tha Par Mauk Kha Saya giving away his beautiful daughters to brilliant students?”.
  
• A member of this group remembered Saya Kha’s smile and forgiveness when he was inadvertently hit by a student (who had to take classes at Workers’ College and come to the Main Campus for practical sessions).
  The young sayas U Thein Aung (Micky) and U Thein Htut scolded the offender and his companions for not knowing Sayagyi.
  
• Per Dr. Alvin Oak Soe Kha, Saya Kha is the longest serving Rector (known for his compassion).

U Yone Mo

• After retirement from Burma Railways, U Yone Mo served as Dean of Engineering at BIT (Burma Institute of Technology)
• Under the new Education System, he became the Rector of RIT (Rangoon Institute of Technology).
• U Wynn Htain Oo (M72) remembers how his friends were having fun with the “Ye Punn”.
  Saya U Yone Mo saw them and said with a smile, “Young men, you can go to the University Swimming Pool or to the Inya Kan (Lake)”.
• Saya Allen Htay (C58) told us that Sayagyi established the weekly “Yoke Shin” at the Assembly Hall.

• Saya Dr. Aung Gyi (then Professor of Civil Engineering) remembered seeing a letter from U Yone Mo (Rector) sent to U Yone Mo (Parent of a son who happened to visit his gambling friends at the hostel). Saya told the Admin to stow away the letter.
  
• Ko Zaw Min Nawaday knows Sayagyi and his spouse very well.
  Sayagyi and Dr. Aung Gyi were in May Myo during one summer. Sayagyi asked Dr. Aung Gyi and Ko Zaw Min to accompany him. They ate Khauk Swe. Sayagyi reminded them gently not to tell about his “Khauk Swe” appetite to Sayagadaw.

Historian

• According to a Historian from Smithsonian,
  “There is no single correct history.
  There are often competing and contradicting histories.”
• The duty of a historian is to present facts and not opinions.
• It is up to the reader to read the historical documents critically and make his/her judgement.

Authenticity

• During the Adhamma Era, sayas sayamas and students were forced to “Let Oak Chi” to visiting Taing Hmus and Higher.
• One exception was Saya U Hla Shwe (Textile 69) who continued teaching saying, “This is my duty. I can only come when the class is done.”
• When U Hla Shwe fell ill, a blogger recounted the episode, and several who did not know U Hla Shwe donated for his medical expenses.

Censorship

• At one period, there was excessive censorship.
• My story and translation “A Man of Infinite Valor” about Ananda Thuriya was censored.
  “Dhammata” poem was a taboo.
  The Higher Authorities did not like the line “One [person] must face destruction for another to prosper”.
• No publication (e.g. poem) must refer to the “sun” and “sun set”.
• I wrote computer articles for the Guardian.
  The articles had to be approved by a group of three Chief Editors (U Soe Myint, Chief Editor of Guardian and Chief Editors of two Myanmar newspapers).
• With the “Pwint Linn” Era, several books and photos (which would not pass censorship) are available.
• Htein Win (Dat Pone) had to wait several decades before he could publish two books : one about “U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khinn” and another about “8-8-88 Ah Yay Ah Khin”.