HlaMin

Category: Memory

  • Memory

    Video Broadcast on August 21, 2020

    • Short term memory
      Modeled by computers as Random Access Memory (RAM)
      Important information should be copied to Long term memory
    • Long term memory
      Modeled by computers as Backing Store (e.g. tapes, disks, drums)
      Slower than Short Term Memory
    • Associative memory
      Related information could be chunked for efficient storage and access
    • Techniques for training memory
      Mnemonics
      Games
      Effective repetition and recall

    Mingun Sayadaw U Vicittacarabhimvamsa

    • Sayadaw was listed in the “Guinness Book of World Records” for his phenomenal memory.
    • He could recite 8000+ pages of the Tipitaka (Three Baskets) covering Vinaya (Monastic rules of conduct), Sutta (Discourses) and Abhidhamma (Ultimate Reality).

    Miscellaneous

    • Multi-disciplinary studies about Memory
    • Competitions
      Memorizing numbers (e.g digits of PI), cards …
    • Chunking

  • Couple

    Dr. Khin Maung U (SPHS63) and Dr. Nyunt Nyunt Wai

    • Dr. Khin Maung U stood First in Burma in the Matriculation of 1963. Dr. Nyunt Nyunt Wai was among the top female matriculates.
    • They graduated from the Institute of Medicine (1).
    • After working in Burma, they moved to USA.
    • Dr. Khin Maung U worked for universities (e.g John Hopkins) and FDA.
    Dr. & Mrs. Khin Maung U

    See related posts for the photos

    U & Mrs. Hla Min (Lifelong Learner)
    Don Min SYG (U Yu Swan, M68) and Model-turned Mae Daw (Daw Tin Tin Myint, ChE70)
    Saya U Myo Myint Sein (Former Professor of Architecture, RIT & Ma Ma Pat (GBNF)
    Saya Dr. Aung Gyi (Former Rector of RIT) & Ma Ma Emma
    U & Mrs. Win Thein Zaw (Min69)
    Saya & Mrs. Thein Tan (Former Rector of MTU)
    U & Mrs. Tin U (Oldest and Most Senior Past Captain of RUBC)
    U & Mrs. Than Htut (M67, RUBC Gold)
    Saya & Mrs. Tin Maung Oo (M67, GBNF)
    Dr. & Mrs. Sann Oo (EP67)

  • Memory

    Video Broadcast

    Types

    There are several types of memory

    • Long term memory
    • Short term memory
    • Photographic memory
    • Associative memory
    • False memory

    Study

    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.

    Ko Tin Oo (M87) 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

    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.

    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. Sayadaw not only remembered 8000+ pages of the Scriptures, but he could also point out the variants of some Suttas while he took the Oral examination. Sayadaw passed the Oral and Written examinations 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.

    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 supposedly 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 26 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.”

  • Couples

    Dr. Khin Maung U (SPHS63) and Dr. Nyunt Nyunt Wai

    • Ko Khin Maung U (SPHS63) stood First in Burma in the Matriculation of 1963. Ma Nyunt Nyunt Wai was among a top female matriculate.
    • They graduated from the Institute of Medicine (1). Dr. Khin Maung U worked for IM(1) and BMRI (Burma Medical Research Institute). Dr. Nyunt Nyunt Wai worked for Rangoon Children’s Hospital.
    • They moved to USA. Dr. Khin Maung U worked for universities (e.g John Hopkins) and FDA.
    • They serve as Gawpaka for a monastery in Maryland.
    • Dr. Khin Maung U translated an early version of the Abhidhamma Course by Dr. Nandamalabhivansa.
    Dr. Khin Maung U & Dr. Nyunt Nyunt Wai

    U Hla Min (SPHS63, EC69) and Dr. Daw Sein Yie

    • U Hla Min is a Lifelong Learner. He has volunteered for various organizations for more than five decades.
    • Dr. Daw Sein Yie supports U Hla Min’s projects. She also volunteered for selected organizations and monasteries.
    U & Mrs. Hla Min (Lifelong Learner)

    U Yu Swan (M68) and Daw Tin Tin Myint (ChE70)

    • U Yu Swan is Don Min Sayagyi. He designed his own Don Min. He wrote notes for many Burmese songs.
    • Sayama Daw Tin Tin Myint taught at RIT Chemical Engineering Department. She represented RIT in Swimming. She was also a Minthamee for Swel Daw Yeik. She co-founded DSL (Dana Sri Lanka) to support Burmese monks studying in Sri Lanka. She is called Maidaw by the student monks.
    • They organize gatherings for the Singapore Pon Chan Chan Group.
    Don Min SYG (U Yu Swan, M68) and Model-turned Mae Daw (Daw Tin Tin Myint, ChE70)

    Sayas and Saya Gadaws

    • Saya U Aung Khin lost his spouse Daw Dais Zaw several years ago.
    • Saya U Ba Than lost his spouse Daw Mya Mya several years ago. Saya passed away at the age of 94.
    • Saya Dr. Aung Gyi and Daw Emma Gyi are healthy, but they have limited their travel.
    • Saya U Myo Myint Sein share the same birthday (October 1, 1931) with Saya Dr. Aung Gyi. He lost his spouse Daw Pat a couple of years ago.
    • Saya U Thein Tan and spouse Daw Thazin Win shared photos of their meritorious deed.
    • Saya U Tin U is the oldest and most senior Past Captain of RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club). He lost his spouse Dr. Khin Kyi Nyunt in late 2019. Within six months, his older son Dr. Khin Tun (Peter) passed away in UK as the first medical doctor in UK to succumb to Covid.
    • Saya U Tin Maung Oo passed away in California, USA. His spouse Daw Thida Swe performed meritorious deeds in Saya’s memory.
    Saya U Myo Myint Sein (Former Professor of Architecture, RIT & Ma Ma Pat (GBNF)
    Saya Dr. Aung Gyi (Former Rector of RIT) & Ma Ma Emma
    Saya & Mrs. Thein Tan (Former Rector of MTU)
    U & Mrs. Tin U (Oldest and Most Senior Past Captain of RUBC)
    Saya & Mrs. Tin Maung Oo (M67, GBNF)

  • PBRS

    Daw Tin Tin Aye founded PPBRS (Private Primary Boundary Road School). Her younger sisters Daw Yi Yi and Daw Khin Khin Aye (Teacher Ah Mar) taught at PPBRS.

    Daw Khin Khin Aye later served as Principal of PPBRS. She also extended PPBRS to teach Middle School and High School. The school was renamed as PBRS (Private Boundary Road School).

    U Kyaw Zaw & Daw Khin Khin Aye

    Myat Hla Sein (GBNF)

    Son of Director U Chin Sein / Shwe Nyar Maung

    Served as Head of “Movie Technology” at Regional College RC2.

    Passed away in a traffic accident.

    Myat Hla Sein

    Saya Dr. Mya Than

    He taught at PBRS and the Institute of Economics.

    He later worked in Singapore and Thailand as a Researcher.

    Dr. Mya Than 1
    Dr. Mya Than and Kyi Kyi Tin

    Daw Kyi Kyi Tin

    She taught Chemistry at Workers’ College and Assumption University in Bangkok.

    On behalf of the PBRS alumni, she paid homage to Saya Dr. Mya Than and offered him the Garawa money.

    Her older brother U Saw Oo and her younger sister Daw Tin Tin Aye are also PBRS alumni.

    Class photos

    Credit: PPBRS Group

    PPBRS 1
    PPBRS 2

    Thamankyar

    • Daw Khin Khin Aye (Principal) sponsored the project of her former students
    • A1 Than Htut : Director
    • A1 Thein Htut : Cinematigrapher
    • Than Win : Author
    • Aung Myint : Thamankyar Ko Myint
    • Toe Nyunt : Actor
    • Sai Wunna : Actor / Vocalist

  • YTU Scholarship Fund

    Saya Allen Htay & Daw Mu Mu Kin

    NorCal RITAA awards

    Several years back, NorCal RITAA provided financial support for eligible YTU students.

    A photo shows seven recipients. Four received $1000 each. Three received $500 each.

    Volunteers for Selection

    Several RITAA members volunteered to interview the applicants and proposed a short list to NorCal RITAA for the awards.

    Eight members of the Pre-selection Committee are seen together with the seven recipients.

    Donors

    The following donated $500 or more to NorCal RITAA for the YTU Scholarship Fund. Some are repeated donors. The complete list of donations is maintained by the Treasurer of NorCal RITAA.

    • Daw Mu Mu Kin Htay, spouse of Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF)
    • U San Lin (M87) and Daw Tin Lay Win
    • U Myo Aung (M85) and Daw Thida
    • U Myint Swe (EP74) and Daw San San (EC74)
    • U Maung Maung Win (Maung YIT, EC93) and Daw Than Htay (ChE92)
    • Daw Yo Shu (Yee Yee Win, EE74)
    • U Tin Maung Win (C76) and Daw Thida Khin Win
    • Gordon Kaung (M83) and Lillian Kaung (EC83)
    • U Kyaw Myint (M83)

    Raffle Drawing and Auction

    To raise the YTU Scholarhip Fund, a Raffle Drawing was held at the 2018 NorCal RITAA Summer Picnic at Coyote Point Park, San Mateo.

    Thanks to the donors of the prizes, to the attendees who eagerly bought the raffle tickets, and to Daw San San (EC74) and Edward Saw (Yu Ket, EC85) for serving as Raffle Masters.

    Gordon Kaung (Kaung Kaung Oo, M83) and Lillian Kaung (EC83) generously donated three iNapa Premium Wine bottles. Each bottle sells for $75 – $80 on the Internet.

    One bottle was put as as the Grand Raffle Prize. It was won by Ma Thandar, the youngest alumni present at the Picnic.

    Two bottles were put on auction.

    • U Sann Naing (M84) and spouse, owners of Burma Kitchen, successfully bid for the first bottle.
    • U Walter Tan (M70) and spouse successfully bid for the second bottle.
    • The sales from the auction $240 also went to the YTU scholarship fund.

  • Memory

    Memory Types

    There are several types of memory

    • 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
    • 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

    Hla Min
    • 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.”

  • Memories of a 69er

    • Hla Min (EC69) wrote an article for the Commemorative Issue of Swel Daw Yeik Magazine for Shwe YaDu, 2014.
    • Thanks to Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) & Team for publishing the article.
    Hla Min

  • Mother’s Day

    • In the USA, the second Sunday of May is celebrated as Mother’s Day.
    • Some countries celebrate Mother’s Day on a different date.
    My beloved mother
    Three Mothers

    Mother

    • Mother is also known as Mater, Mum, Mom, Mummy, Mommy, Mah Mah, May May, … and “the hand that rocked the cradle”
    • Mother’s unbounded love is honored in many real-life stories (e.g caring for children during disasters)

    M-O-T-H-E-R (Famous song)

    Sample verse (may have variations)

    M is for the Million things she gave me
    O means Only that she’s growing Old
    T is for her Tender sweet caresses
    H is for her Heart of purest gold
    E means Everything she’s done to save me
    R means Right and Right she’ll always be

    Put them all together
    They spell MOTHER
    A word that means a world to me

  • Fond Memories

    Paying respect to Saya U Aung Khin

    • Ivan Lee (M69) provided his car and gas for the whirlwind trip to Canada and East Coast of USA.
    • Fred Thetgyi (M69) drove most of the trip and also took photos.
    • We visited Saya U Aung Khin (Former Professor of Mechanical engineering at RIT).
    • Saya not only prepared breakfast for us but also gave us mementos.

    Saya U Aung Khin & Saya Allen Htay (GBNF)

    • Saya U Aung Khin gave the go-ahead signal for SPZP-2000
    • Saya Allen is founder and President of RIT Alumni International, which hosted SPZP-2000
    • In memory of Saya Allen, Daw Mu Mu donated saya’s books to YTU Library.
      She also provided financial assistance to eligible YTU students

    Saya U Aung Hla Tun (GBNF)

    • Saya served as Chief Editor of RIT Annual Magazine, Associate Professor of Metallurgical Engineering, and Resident Elder of the Church of Holy Christ.
    • He published two books. He won National Literature Award for the first book.
    • Despite failing health, he completed the second book and most of his three-year plan.

    My Souvenirs

    • Alumni Appreciation Award
      presented by NorCal RIT Alumni Association
    • SPHS63 Scholarship Winners
      Invitation to attend OPA (Old Paulians’ Association) Annual Dinner
      Photo taken after the Award ceremony at SPHS
    Souvenirs

    • DTM Award received in 2017
    DTM

    • Electronic greeting card was printed by Ko Maurice Chee
      and given to me at the Soon Kwyay gathering at Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay, California
    • Father’s Day gift from my Myees