Category: Concept

  • Notes

    Notes

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Alphabet

    Burmese Alphabet

    • Ka, Kha, Ga …
    Burmese

    English Alphabet

    • Upper case; A to Z
    • Lower case : a to z

    Greek Alphabet

    • Alpha to Omega
    • Used in Science texts

    Pali

    • Spoken language
    • Written in various scripts including Burmese, Thai and Sinhalese.
    • PTS (Pali Text Society) uses Romanized Pali.
    Pali Dictionary

    Pyu Alphabet

    Pyu

    Bhamaso Taya

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

    Buddhism

    Buddha

    • The Blessed One, the Worthy One, and the Fully Enlightened One
    • Nine Qualities of the Buddha

    Dhamma

    • Teachings of the Buddha
    • Tipitaka (Three Baskets) ; Vinaya, Sutta, Abhidhamma
    • Five Nikayas
    • Six Qualities of the Dhamma

    Sangha

    • Monastic Order of the Buddha
    • Nine Qualities of the Sangha

    Vinaya

    • Monastic Rules of Conduct

    Sutta

    • Discourses

    Abhidhamma

    • Ultimate Reality

    Pali Texts

    • Canon
    • Commentary
    • Sub-commentary

    Buddhist Councils

    • Six — According to the Theravada tradition
    • First, Second and Third — Oral tradition (held in India)
    • Fourth — Written texts (Compiled in Ceylon / Sri Lanka)
    • Fifth — Mandalay (to celebrate 2400th Sasana Era)
    • Sixth — Kaba Aye, Rangoon (to celebrate 2500th Sasana Era)

    Books

    • What the Buddha Taught
      by Dr. Rahula Walpole
      Translation by U Kelasa
    • In His Own Words
      by Bikkhu Bodhi
      Course / book by U Silananda

    Burmese

    • Burmese Language
      Spoken Burmese (Myanmar Sagar)
      Written Burmese (Myanmar Sar)
    • Burmese Department
      Myanmar (Burma)
      Overseas
    • Burmese Sayas
      U Pe Maung Tin,
      U E Maung,
      U Wun
      U Thein Han
      U Chan Mya
    • Khit San Sar Pa
      ICS U Sein Tin (Theikpan Maung Wa)
      U Thein Han (Zawgyi)
      U Wun (Minthuwun)
    • Burmese Language Commission
      Bohmu Ba Thaung
      U San Lwin
    • Text books
      Kindergarten
      Primary School
      Middle School
      High School
      University
    • References
      Dictionary (Abhidan)
      Encyclopedia (Swel Sone Kyan)
      Grammar (Thadda)
      Proverbs (Sagar Pone)
      Spelling (Thutt Pone)
    • Publications
      Cartoons
      Comics
      Journals
      Magazines
      Newspapers
      Novels
      Sar Saungs

    Calendar

    • Old Roman Calendar
      Ten “working” months (from March to December)
    • Later Roman Calendars
      Twelve months (from January to December)
    • Julian Calendar
    • Gregorian Calendar

    Child

    • Khalay
    • Khalay Ah Thinn (Association)
    • Child Psychology
    • Piaget

    Fun

    • Fun with Learning
      Facebook group
    • Fun with English
      Definitions
      Palindrome
      Tongue Twister
      Word Games (Crossword puzzle, Lexicon, Scrabble, Anagram, Jumbled phrase)
    • Fun with Mathematics
      Paradox
      Puzzles
    • Fun with Physics
      Online course

    Maths

    • Saya U Aung Hla
      In 1950 – 52, Saya U Aung Hla was Dean of Arts. He was also Professor of Maths. He is an expert in music, and wrote notes for selected Burmese songs. His spouse Daw May Than is a vocalist. His son U Mya Than is a Guitarist and Pianist.
    • Maths Department
      In the early days, the Maths Department was under the Faculty of Arts. Later, Maths Department was under the Faculty of Science.
    • Options (offered in different periods) at Rangoon University
      Pure Maths
      Applied Maths
      Double Maths : Pure & Applied
      Triple Maths : Pure, Applied & Statistics

    My Contributions

    • Five decades as Volunteer of various organizations and projects
    • 26 years as Founder & Chief Editor of RIT Alumni International Newsletter
      Silver Jubilee in 2024
    • Member, HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education). U Ohn Khine and I compiled the CD Supplement for the HMEE Book in 2012
    • 220+ Videos (on selected topics) : Broadcast in 2019 and 2020
    • 3000+ Articles
      in my web site hlamin.com
    • Former Moderator of RU Centennial Facebook Group
      Overview of RU Centennial Group (Posts)
      Countdown to RU Centennial (Posts)
      Photo Essays and Photo Albums
    • Memories
      Memories of PPBRS (Private Primary Boundary Road School)
      Memories of SPHS (St. Paul’s High School)
      Memories of RIT (Rangoon Institute of Technology)
      Memories of UCC (Universities’ Computer Center)
    • Contributor
      Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife
    • Language Expert
      Burmese Language Project, NFLC, University of Maryland at College Park
    • Contributing Editor, Dhammanda Newsletter
    • Contributing Editor, “Homage to U Silananda”
    • Contributing Editor, Souvenir Magazine for RUBC 90th Anniversary
    • Contributing Editor, BAPS Newsletter
    • Bilingual Author
    • Wrote and translated Poems and Articles
    • Interpreter, Meditation Retreats
    • Edited books of Sayadaws and colleagues

    New Year

    • Gregorian Calendar
      January 1st
    • Lunar New Year
      aka “Chinese New Year” and “Tet”
      January or February
    • Persian New Year
      aka “First day of Spring”
      around March 21
    • Myanmar New Year
      aka “Thingyan”
      Mid April
      cf : Songkran in Thailand
    • Karen New Year
    • Bringing in the New Year
      Celebrations of New Year’s Eve (December 31)
      e.g. Dropping the ball at Times Square in New York

    Olympics

    • Ancient Games
      Mount Olympus, Greece
    • Modern Olympic Games
      proposed by Pierre de Coubertin
      Early period : amateurs only
      Later : commercialized (sponsors, hosts, professional athletes …)
    • Summer Olympics
      Breaks during the World War
      Postponed during the Pandemic
    • 1936 Berlin
    • 1948 London
    • 1952 Helsinki
    • 1956 Melbourne
    • 1960 Rome
    • 1964 Tokyo
    • 1968 Montreal
    • 1972 Munich
    • 1976 Montreal
    • 1980 Moscow
    • 1984 Los Angeles
    • 1988 Seoul
    • 1992 Barcelona
    • 1996 Atlanta
    • 2000 Sydney
    • 2004 Athens
    • 2008 Beijing
    • 2012 London
    • 2016 Rio de Janerio
    • 2020 Scheduled for Tokyo
      Postponed to 2021 due to pandemic
    • 2024 Paris
    • Winter Olympics

    Sleep

    • Conventional
      8 hours (for adults)
      more (for infants)
    • Could/ should vary with person
      e.g. my uncle slept 4 hours, but he had power naps in the day
    • Rationale for sleep
      Rest
      “Clean up garbage” in the brain
      Activities by the Subconscious (e.g. problem solving)
    • Sleep studies
      Dream
      Sleep Apnea (Breathing difficulties)
      Monitor brain (for a specified period)
      Effect of duration (too little, too much)
      Effect of rhythm (specified time to go to sleep)
    • Miscellaneous
      Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise
      The story of Pauk Kyaing

    Thet Kyee Sayas and Alumni

    • Sayagyi U Ba Toke
      Phwa Bet Taw of Rangoon University in December 1920
      Book about his life and achievements by Dr. Khin Maung Swe (Maung Thin Char, GBNF)
      Saya of our sayas
      Passed away on December 2, 2020 (the day after the RU Centennial Celebrations) but a few days short of his Centennial on December 26.
    U Ba Toke
    • U Thein Han (96 years)
      Worked as Systems Engineer for IBM Burma
      Active doing exercises and sharing memories / posts
    U Thein Han
    • U Tin U (96 years)
      Joined Rangoon University in 1946 along with Dr. Pe Nyun, Dr. Pe Thein and U Sein Hlaing.
      Former part time Lecturer at Civil Engineering Department;
      Oldest and Most senior among Past Captains of Rangoon University Boat Club that are still alive;
      Opened the RUBC Centennial Ceremony in December 2023,
      Past Captain of Rangoon Golf Club;
      Lost his beloved spouse Dr. Daw Khin Nyunt, his eldest son Dr. Khin Tun (Peter, MRCP, Former Associate Dean of Oxford University) and his son-in-law U Tin Tun within a few months (late 2019 to May 2020)
    U Tin U
    • U Ba Than (94 years)
      Won Collegiate Scholarship in 1947;
      Gold Medalist for highest score in Intermediate Examinations for 1948 and 1949;
      Retired as Professor and Head of Mechanical Engineering;
      Early supporter of HMEE-2012 (History of Myanmar Engineering Education)
      Now GBNF
    U Ba Than
    • Other Thet Kyees
      Several of my sayas, sayamas, relatives and friends are 90+ years young.

    Time

    • Clock / Watch
      Mechanical, Electro-mechanical, Electrical, Atomic
    • Calendar
      Various types
    • Time and Motion Study
      Kenneth and Lillian Gilbraith
    • Time Management
    • Five minute biographies
    • One minute manager
    • Early responder
      within 4 or 5 minutes
    • Gettysburg Address
      less than 2 minutes
    • TED Talk
      less than 18 minutes
    • Toastmaster Speech
      typically 5 to 7 minutes
    • Sports
      Timing
      Records

    To Err Is Human

    • “To err is human, but to make blunders use a computer indiscriminately.”
    • Some software “auto-corrects” words incorrectly.
    • In our younger days, there was a good Scrabble player named James Thet Wai (Proof Reader for the Guardian newspaper).
    • Burmese publications have language experts (Burmese, English, Pali).
    • Before the Internet, the production of a good book requires the expertise of editors and reviewers. Even then, some typos and discrepancies can appear.
      e.g A reference book described Rajiv Gandhi as the “younger” son of Indira Gandhi.
    • Note that articles on the Internet / Social Media — with lax reviews — can have typos and errors.
      An entry on Dr. Ba Than lists Dr. Aung Than as his son.
      Another article claimed that Prof. U E Maung was “Bagyi Aung”.
      One author did not know the time line / order of Arzani Nay and the assassination of ICS U Tin Tut.
    • It is important to check facts (especially historical dates & events) and provide correction.

    YMBA

    • Young Men’s Buddhist Association
    • Illustrated History of Buddhism
      Mahagandayone Sayadaw Ashin Janakabhivamsa (Author);
      Saya U Ba Kyi (Artist)
      First edition : Myanmar text
      Supplement : English text
      Reprint: Theravada Buddhist Society of America

    YMCA

    • Young Men’s Christian Association
    • N. Smith — Invented Basketball
    • Dale Carnegie — How to win friends and influence people; How to stop worrying and start living;
      How to improve your diction
    • Dr. Ralph Smedley — Public Speaking and Leadership; Precursor to Toastmasters International

    Zero

    Numerals

    • Hindu-Arabic numeral : 0
    • No such Roman numeral

    Miscellaneous

    • The Dawn of Nothing
    • Positional number system
    • 0-based numbering
    • Nil; Null; Nothing
    • Often used to represent “False” in two-valued logic.
    • Absolute Zero (temperature)
    • Ground Zero
    • Zero in

    Zoom

    Lens

    • Photographers and Videographers often use Zoom lens for special effect.
    • The more we grow older the more we have to avoid “zoom camera” to our face.

    Zoom In and Zoom Out

    • We zoom in when we want to see things in detail.
    • We zoom out when we need to see things in the bigger picture.

    Teleconferencing

    • Zoom is a system for teleconferencing.
    • Usage grew dramatically during the pandemic
    • Free version; Deluxe version
  • Harmony

    Harmony

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    In our younger days

    Our grand parents & parents had workers who were non-Buddhists. They gave us sweets (for Diwali), dan bauk (for Id) and presents (for Christmas).

    During our younger days, we had classmates who professed different religions. We lived in perfect harmony.

    Christians

    Saya U Pe Maung Tin

    U Pe Maung Tin
    • He was a Christian, but he helped with the translation of Buddhist texts.
    • Translated the two sermons (Dhammacakka and Anatta Lekkhana Sutta) into English at the request of U Tha Win (who published the two sermons in Pali, Burmese and English).

    Teacher Kywe (PPBRS)

    • Karen Christian teacher who transformed me into a “life long learner”
    • My mother asked me to pay respect to her every year.

    Rev. Bernard Taylor

    SPHS Classmates
    • SPHS classmate
    • Missionary to the Philippines
    • After retirement, came back to Myanmar

    Rev. Edwin David

    • SPHS classmate
    • GBNF
    • Priest of St. Mary’s Cathedral

    Steeve Kay (EC70)

    HM, Steeve & Benny
    • Multiple Golden Sponsor of SPZPs
    • Donated $200000+ to RIT-related activities
    • GBNF

    Benny Tan

    • Multiple Golden Sponsor of SPZPs
    • Co-chair, SPZP-2000

    SPZP

    • Several RIT alumni are Christians, who embrace SPZPs.
    • The term Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was chosen over Saya Ga Daw Pwe (which had religious connotation) so that all students can pay back the metta and cetana of their mentors.

    Sikhs

    D. S. Saluja

    D S Saluja
    • Classmate at SPHS, I.Sc(A) & 2nd BE
    • Left RIT to form “Rama Enterprise” in Bangkok with his elder brother
    • Had a mini-reunion twice : the last time in April 2024

    A. S. Soni

    • SPHS classmate

    RIT alumni

    • Surinder Singh (EE69er) — Australia
    • Uttam Singh (M71) — NASA
    • Meenu Singh (ChE72) — CS Prof
    • Jagjit Singh (EE73) — UIUC

    Muslims

    Arzani U Razak

    Arzani
    • Early Graduate of National College
    • Principal of National School in Mandalay
    • Was nominated by several Sayadaws to be Education Minister in Bogyoke Aung San’s Cabinet
    • Sons : U Tin Myint (RUBC, MOC), U Hla Kyi (helped solve the foundation problem at Shwe Dagon)

    U Raschid

    • Student Leader for RUSU and Ba Ka Tha
    • Minister

    U Khin Maung Latt

    • Minister
    • Sons : Khin Maung Gyi (RIT English), Khin Maung Lay (Principal, ILO Training School)

    U Pe Khin

    • Diplomat
    • Negotiator at Pin Lon Conference

    Bohmu Ba Shin

    • Burma Historical Commission

    Paulians

    • Edward Hla Shwe I and II

    RIT Alumni

    • Saya Allen Htay (C58) : President of RIT Alumni International; SPZP-2000 Organizer
    SPZP-2000
    • U Khin Maung Lay (T68) : Past President of BASES; Organizer & emcee for 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
    • U Thein Ngwe (Ko Thein Tokyo, ChE76) : Co-founder of RITAJsent
    • RIT Muslim students in 1971
    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ritm-tn.jpg
    RIT 1971

    Men on the Moon

    Poem

    For the last stanza of my poem “Men on the Moon”, I wrote

    “Are we not brothers here on earth?
    So let us all unite.
    There will be heaven here on earth
    If we all cease to fight”.

    Updates

    • Several conflicts in the world due to extremists
    • Discrimination in some places
  • Terms & Concepts

    Terms & Concepts

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Academic Year

    Cup for 69ers
    • Usually spans two calendar years e.g. 1968 – 69
    • We will say Class of 69 (or just 69) instead of Class of 1968 – 69
      e.g. M69 stands for Mechanical 1968 – 69

    Alumni

    NorCal RITAA
    • Student
    • Need not be a graduate
    • In the old days, there were four Latin terms — alumnus, alumna, alumni, alumnae — to distinguish the Gender (male, female) and Number (singular, plural).
    • Nowadays, alumni is a generic term to cover all four cases.
    • Universities usually have Alumni Association, Alumni Building, Alumni Office / Department for Alumni Affairs

    BIT

    • BIT stands for Burma Institute of Technology
    • The engineering school moved to the Gyogone Campus in 1961.
    • BIT was still under the aegis of Rangoon University.
    • U Yone Mo was Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University. He became Rector of RIT.

    Class

    • Class refers to the expected year of graduation.
    • The Class of 69 refers to the alumni from the academic year 1968 – 69. Most graduated in 1969.
    • The Class of 69 includes those who took sabbatical and graduated later.

    Faculty

    U Ba Hli
    • Rangoon University had Faculties and Deans
    • U Ba Hla was the first native Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University.
    • Other Faculties include Arts, Science, Social Science, Law & Medicine.

    GBNF

    • Gone But Not Forgotten
    Sample GBNF list
    • GBNF for 69ers is maintained by U Aung Min & team

    HCF (Health Care Fund)

    There are several Health Care Funds. They include :

    • Steeve and Helen Kay Heath Care Fund for RIT Sayas and Sayamas
    Steeve Kay
    • U Khin Maung Tun’s Family’s Eye-care for RIT Sayas and Sayamas
    U Khin Maung Tun
    • Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF)
      which now also handles the two funds described above
    SDYF
    • Class-wide HCFs
      Example :
      Class of 69 (69er HCF, EE69er HCF)
      Class of 70 & 71
      Class of 72
      Class of 75
      Intake of 83

    There may be changes to the Health Care of Sayas and Sayamas.

    • Hospitalization has the highest priority.
    • Case-by-case consideration for sayas & sayamas who have to visit clinics many times
    • Eligible sayas and sayamas (age 60+) can have medical check ups
    • If funds are available, spouses of eligible sayas and sayamas can also have medical check ups.

    Intake

    Intake of 64 & 65
    • Intake refers to the year when the group was admitted to RIT, YIT, or YTU.
    • Intake usually means “1st BE Intake“.
    • Most from the 1st BE Intake of 64 graduated in 1970.
      Most from the 1st BE Intake of 65 graduated in 1971.
      The Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65 has held Reunion and Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe for nearly two decades.
    • There were three Intakes in November 2964.
      460+ students were admitted to 1st BE
      320+ students were admitted to 2nd BE
      Aout 200 students were admitted to 3rd BE
    • Some Intakes unfortunately lost three years of their schooling, since the institute was closed for three years (from 1988 – 1990).
      Example : Intake of 1983 graduated in 1992 (instead of 1989).

    RIT

    RIT EE Association
    • BIT was renamed as Rangoon Institute of Technology in 1964.
    • Under the then New Education System, RIT became an independent Institute with its own Rector and Registrar.
      U Yone Moe was the first Rector.
      U Soe Thein was the first Registrar.
    • Not sure why it was not named as BIT (Rangoon Campus)

    RITAA

    • Alumni Association of RIT/YIT/YTU
    • Helped host SPZP-2016
    • Provides “Saya’s Corner
      Tea and coffee are served
      Wheel chairs are stored for use by needy sayas
    • Coordinated the “Library Modernization Project”

    SPZP

    SPZP-2012
    • Saya Pu Zaw Pwe
    • Preferred to “Saya Gadawt Pwe” which has religious connotation
    • Allows alumni with different religious beliefs to pay back the Metta and Cetana of their mentors

    Swel Daw / Swel Daw Yeik

    • Synonym for RIT and the engineering schools preceding and succeeding it.
    • The term became established at the RU Golden Jubilee
      Celebrations in 1970, when the RIT Ah Nu Pyinnyar Shins of performed as “Swel Daw Yeik Troupe”.
      Swel Daw Yeik Ah Nyeint“, “Htee Yein” and “Ta Bin Daing Ah Ka” were hits.
    • During the Adhamma Era, Swel Daw Bins were razed from the compound.
    • With the dawning of the Pwint Linn Era, 50 Swel Daw Bins were planted to commemorate the Shwe YaDu (in 2014).
    • There are many artifacts with “Swel Daw Yeik” in their name. They include :
      Swel Daw Yeik Ah Nyeint
      Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF)
      Swel Daw Yeik Magazine
      Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung

    Thabon Kyaung

    • Disparaging term used by authorities in the Adhamma Era

    Thamudaya Kyaung

    • Poem by Maung Sein Win (Padeegone)
    • Music Video by Khin Maung Toe (Vocalist) and Myizzima Hlaing

    TU

    • Technological University
    • Opened indiscriminately during the Adhamma Era

    YIT

    • RIT was renamed as Yangon Institute of Technology
    • Name change per the Naming Policy (to refrain from using names from the Colonial Era).
    • Note: The Naming Policy did not have a grandfather clause. Some classic books could not be re-published without the name change. For example, “Trials in Burma” by Maurice Collis was forced to be re-titled “Trials in Myanmar”.

    YTU

    • Yangon Technological University
    • Name change to sound similar to NTU (in Singapore, which was earlier called NTI)

    Posts

    • Associations
    • Calendar
    • Names
    • RIT Spirit
  • Three Parents

    Three Parents

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Ivan Lee (M69)

    Ivan
    • Youngest in the family
    • His father passed away when he was a few years old.
    • His mother raised the family, and also lived long to have great grand children.
    • He e-mailed us when his mother turned 100. It showed the birthday card sent to his mother from the 43rd US President George W. Bush.
    • He e-mailed again when his mother turned 101. It showed the birthday card sent to his mother from the 44th US President Barack Obama.
    • His mother passed away at the tender age of 102. She was alert until the final days. It could be because she played two hours of Mah Jong daily.
    • On a bright note, he has two loving daughters and six grandchildren.

    Timothy Hla’s Post on June 21, 2020

    Dr. PR Mohan & Dr. Daw Hnin Yee

    Tribute to his parents Dr. PR Mohan and Dr. Daw Hnin Yee

    Today is a special day for me and my family. First and foremost, we celebrate my Mom’s birthday. Even though we cannot be with her physically in Seattle, she enjoys the company and excellent care by my sister Mona T. Han and is showered by love from all family members and her friends and former students in the Institute of Medicine 1, University of Rangoon. In addition to raising four children, taking care of her husband and running a busy household, she was a career woman who was able to balance a successful career (she became the Professor and Head of the Department of Medicine) and a busy life with grace and charm.

    Second, today is father’s day. I am enjoying my family (wife Jeanne Wadsworth-Hla, and grown children Hilary May, Jon Matthew and Audrey Hla who will be here to have dinner. Very grateful for them to be here to celebrate my fatherhood. It is one of the happiest aspects of my life and I am most grateful. I also remember and honor the memory of my Dad (PR Mohan) who passed away over 15 years ago. He was an orphan who grew up in poverty with 9 siblings in Burma, overcame lots of obstacles to get an MBBS degree in 1939, worked as a military doctor during the WW2 with the allied forces for which received many medals and citations, used his pension from the army to get trained as a Cardiologist in London (Royal Brompton Hospital and National Heart Institute) with the famous Cardiologist Paul Wood, returned to Burma to give back to his native land despite various lucrative job offers in the UK, and served honorably by establishing the first Cardiac Department at the Rangoon General Hospital, established the first coronary care unit and brought cutting edge cardiology care to Burma. He also trained a cadre of younger physicians. I even came across an article he wrote about congenital heart diseases in the local medical journal in 1955 in PubMed. Many of his colleagues and students remember him as a no-nonsense Physician with a rough exterior but with a kind heart. My fondest memories of him were his love and dedication to his family and friends. He also introduced me to his love of various music genres of the world, and appreciation of fine food and libations.

    Me

    My beloved parents
    My father
    Grandkids
    • I am fortunate to have parents who lived beyond 80.
    • I am not fortunate enough to have them around to see my Hmees, who are excellent in their studies and in their hobbies.
    • They would have smiled to hear my grand daughter say, “Are you at home? Who’s your doctor? What happened?” after I returned from the colonoscopy screening. She added, “I’ll take care of you. I love you.” She must have inherited the loving kindness of her great grand parents.
    • They would be delighted to see her awards including “Super Reader” and a top student of her class.
    • They would be impressed to see my grand son dribbling a standard basketball for 30+ seconds, scoring goals in a competitive tournament and learn that he is also a top student of his class.
  • Three & List of Threes

    Three & List of Threes

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Three

    • Hindu-Arablic numeral : 3
    • Roman numeral : III
    • Tri (e.g tripod, tricycle, trimester, trilogy)
    • Trio

    List of Threes

    Triple Gems

    • Buddha : the Enlightened One
    • Dhamma : His Teachings
    • Sangha : Monastic Order

    Tipitaka (Three Baskets)

    • Vinaya : Monastic Rules of Conduct
    • Sutta : Discourses
    • Abhidhamma : Ultimate Reality

    Characteristics

    • Annica : Impermanence
    • Dukkha : Suffering, Unsatisfactoriness
    • Anatta : No Atta, No Self

    Trinity

    • Father
    • Son
    • Holy Spirit

    Most well-known Hindu Gods

    • Brahma : Creator
    • Vishnu : Preserver
    • Shiva : Destroyer

    Early NASA Projects

    • Mercury : single astronaut
    • Gemini : two astronauts
    • Apollo : three astronauts

    Apollo Crew

    • Mission Commander (e.g. Neil Armstrong for Apollo11)
    • Command Module Pilot (e.g. Michael Collins for Apollo11)
    • Lunar Module Pilot (e.g. Buzz Aldrin for Apollo11)

    Apollo Modules

    • Service Module
    • Command Module
    • Lunar Module

    Musical Envelope

    • Rise : attack
    • Sustain
    • Fall : decay

    Prime constituents of an atom

    • Electron
    • Proton
    • Neutron

    Persuasion Techniques

    • Ethos
    • Pathos
    • Logos

    Typical Toastmasters Meeting

    • Prepared Speeches
    • Table Topics : Impromptu Speeches
    • Evaluation
    DTM

    Three-valued Logic

    • Yes
    • No
    • Do not care

    Essay (and most writings)

    • Introduction : Beginning
    • Body
    • Conclusion : Ending)

    Medal

    • Gold : first prize
    • Silver : second prize
    • Bronze : third prize

    Measurement of Time

    • Hour
    • Minute
    • Second

    Angular Measure

    • Degree
    • Minute
    • Second

    Academic Degrees

    • Bachelor
    • Master
    • Doctorate

    School Type (1)

    • Primary School
    • Middle School
    • High School

    School Type (2)

    • English School
    • Venacular School
    • Anglo-Venacular School

    Traffic Light

    • Red
    • Amber
    • Green

    Guitar

    • Lead Guitar
    • Rhythm Guitar
    • Bass Guitar

    Professor

    • Assistant Professor
    • Associate Professor
    • (Full) Professor
  • World Records

    World Records

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Believe it or not

    Ripley’s “Believe it or not” named U Khanti Kyauksar (inscriptions) of the Fifth Buddhist Council (Synod) held in Mandalay as the “Largest Book” in the world.

    Guinness Book of World Records

    Mingun Sayadaw

    The Guinness Book of World Records listed Tipitakadara Sayadaw Ashin Vicittathara as having a phenomenal — the best at that time in 1954.

    In the First Buddhist Council, Ashin Upali served as the Reciter of Vinaya (Rules of monastic conduct). Ashin Ananda served as the Reciter of Sutta (Buddha’s Discourses) and Abhidhamma (Ultimate Reality).

    In the Sixth Buddhist Council held at KabaAye (World Peace) Pagoda in Rangoon, Burma from 1954 – 1956 Ashin Vicittathara served as the Reciter of Vinaya, Sutta and Abhidhamma. He also recited the selected Commentaries.

    Sayadaw could memorize, recall, and give exposition on 8000+ pages of the Buddhist Scriptures known as Tipitaka [“Three Baskets”] : Vinaya, Sutta and Abhidhamma at the second to fifth Tipitakadara examinations. He passed with distinction in both oral and written parts.

    Sayadaw served as an examiner for the first Tipikadara examination. Sir U Thwin requested him to take the examination. The rest is history.

  • Scale & Order of Magnitude

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    • The mode of operation and the associated tools change with the Order of Magnitude.
    • There is a change in an order of magnitude when a number (or measure) is multiplied by ten.
    • The following are examples of the mode of transportation with the change in order of magnitude. An average person can walk 4+ mph (miles per hour). An average car can be driven 40+ mph. An air plane can be flown 400+ mph.
    • Modern Physics evolved from Classical Physics to handle the vast range of speed and size.
    • Newtonian Mechanics holds when objects move at a relatively low speed (compared to that of light).
    • Relativity comes into play when objects move at a speed closer to that of light.
    • The size of an object can span several orders of magnitude.
    • [Per Dr. Kyaw Tint] When they become small, Quantum Mechanics can only describe their behaviors.
  • Kidney

    Kidney

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Redundacy

    • There are two kidneys, but some people can live with one kidney.

    U Khin Maung Maung

    • U Aung Zaw Maung (Pet78, ex-UCC) mentioned that his father lived for 40 years with one good kidney.

    Daw Kyawt

    U Aung Zaw & Daw Kyawt
    • Daw Tint Tint Wai (Daw Kyawt) donated a kidney to her spouse U Aung Zaw. She is doing fine. After a decade, U Aung Zaw passed away. The kidney that she donated was still doing fine.

    Dialysis

    U Tin Hlaing

    U Tin Hlaing

    Saya U Tin Hlaing (M59, GBNF) was Head of the Agricultural Engineering (sub-department of Mechanical Engineering). Had kidney problem, but he did not have access to the two dialysis machines that were for VIP in Burma. Applied for passport and visa to have medical treatment abroad, but he did not receive them in time.

    Cases

    Based on the severity, the frequency and number of dialysis sessions.

    Most patients have to visit a hospital or clinic.

    A few had to perform dialysis at home.

    Transplant

    U Aung Zaw

    U Aung Zaw (2nd from Right)

    Saya U Aung Zaw (ex-UCC) is indebted to his spouse Daw Kyawt, who donated her kidney. The love story can be read in Saya Zaw’s first book “Dhamma and Bawa ဓမ္မနဲ့ ဘဝ”. I wrote the Foreword.

    Dhamma & Bawa

    He published a second book “Cetana Thi Thar Kan စေတနာ သည်သာ ကံ” which has a section written by me based on his ideas.

    Cetana Thi Thar Kan

    Henry Lim

    RIT Alumni Newsletter

    U Aung Myint (Henry Lim) served as Chief Editor of the BAPS Newsletter and an Associate Editor of the commemorative issue of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” for SPZP-2000. He founded the “Golden Padauk” and “Durian” magazines in the San Francisco Bay Area, but at his doctors’ advice, he stopped publishing the magazines to preserve his health. Luckily, he found a match for his kidney transplant. He had a renewed life full of oversea travels.

    Aung Khin

    Aung Khin (Last Row 5th from Left)

    U Aung Khin (SPHS 63, GBNF) is the second son of Dr. Ko Gyi (MS of EENT hospital). He had two kidney transplants and succumbed while he was trying to have a third transplant.

    Related Posts

    • Advice from Sayas & Friends
    • Medical Reports by Dr. Khin Maung U
    • Medical Advice by Dr. Kyaw Nyunt (Robert)
  • Casualties and CPR

    Casualties and CPR

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    CPR can help save lives

    • M72 batch is a closely knit group. They are known for their gentlemen acts as well as seemingly childish behavior.
      They tease each other often testing the limits of patience.
      To outsides, they appear to be quarreling.
    • Ko Tha Tun (M72) is from the class of 71, but he feels at home as a senior with the M72 group. At one M72 gathering, a medical condition struck Ko Tha Tun, but he survived due to the CPR skills of Ko Wynn Htain Oo (M72). The members also took him quickly to a clinic without waiting fo the ambulance.
    Tha Tun

    Casualties

    • Some casualties occur early in the morning. Most family members may be sleeping, sleepy or not alert to respond to emergency problems.
    • Ko Soe Myint (M72, retired Pro-Rector of ICST) had a busy day visiting the Sun Lun Gu Kyaung twice and also taking rounds to see his nephew and niece with medical problems. He passed away at 3 AM. Ko Wynn Htain Oo thought out aloud if CPR could have saved Ko Soe Myint.
    Ko Soe Myint (3rd from Right)
    • Ko Soe Myint Lwin (EP68, Burma Soccer Selected) passed away around 3 AM.
    Ko Soe Myint Lwin
    • Saya U Kyaw Sein (M65) passed away around 6 AM.
    U Kyaw Sein
    • U Myint Kyaw (EC67) passed away around 2 AM.
  • Casualties and CPR

    Casualties and CPR

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    CPR can help save lives

    • M72 batch is a closely knit group. They are known for their gentlemen acts as well as seemingly childish behavior.
      They tease each other often testing the limits of patience.
      To outsiders, they appear to be quarreling.
    • Ko Tha Tun (M72) is from the class of 71, but he feels at home as a senior with the M72 group. At one M72 gathering, a medical condition struck Ko Tha Tun, but he survived due to the CPR skills of Ko Wynn Htain Oo (M72). The members also took him quickly to a clinic without waiting fo the ambulance.

    Casualties

    • Some casualties occur early in the morning. Most family members may be sleeping, sleepy or not alert to respond to emergency problems.
    • Ko Soe Myint (M72, retired Pro-Rector of ICST) had a busy day visiting the Sun Lun Gu Kyaung twice and also taking rounds to see his nephew and niece with medical problems. He passed away at 3 AM. Ko Wynn Htain Oo thought out aloud if CPR could have saved Ko Soe Myint.
    Ko Soe Myint (3rd from Right)
    • Ko Soe Myint Lwin (EP68, Burma Soccer Selected) passed away around 3 AM.
    Ko Soe Myint Lwin
    • Saya U Kyaw Sein (M65) passed away around 6 AM.
    U Kyaw Sein
    • U Myint Kyaw (EC67) passed away around 2 AM.