Combine the first letter of each line to spell “SAYA PU ZAW PWE”
The term SAYA PU ZAW PWE was chosen over SAYA GADAW PWE which has religious connotation, so that non-Buddhists can pay respect to their mentors.
There have been seven worldwide SPZPs : USA in 2000, Yangon in 2004, 2012 & 2016, Singapore in 2002, 2007 & 2010. I was organizer for SPZP-2000 and facilitator for the rest.
GBNF
Gone But Not Forgotten
GBNF for 69ers is maintained by U Aung Min (M69) & team
GBNF for 1st BE Intake of 64 (Class of 70) is maintained by U Ohn Khine (M70) & team
Newsletter
Poem for SPZP-2000
S eems like it was only yesterday A t our alma mater in a land far away Y ou taught us to work, play, laugh, even cry A nd coaxed us, forced us to aim for the sky
P roblems in real life, lab, computation, survey U nderstand concepts, design, display, … Z eal, zest, ardor, grit, passion to make it “our day” A rchitects, engineers, we’ve come here to say W e honor your metta, your cetana — we fully can’t repay
P resently we meet, alum from five decades we greet W ith memories true, fond, sweet E cstatic yet sad that the GBNF could not join this memorable fete
Father’s Day is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday in June.
Three Generation of Fathers
My beloved fatherMy beloved parents
First Generation
My beloved father
He had NDE (Near Death Experience) in his teens. The doctors said that he had three months to live, but thanks to Kadok Sayagyi (ကတုတ်ဆရာကြီး၊ Indigenous Medicine Expert) he lived to be a father of seven and grandfather of eleven.
He was a Jack of all Trades and Master of Some. He was not an Architect, but he built pagodas and houses (for him and his younger brothers).
He passed away in his 80s.
He would be 109 in July 2025.
Three Generations
Second Generation
Yours truly
I am a Lifelong Learner.
I am a former academic and Software Engineer.
I have two sons and two grandchildren.
My family 1
Third Generation
My elder son
He is an Industrial Engineer.
He has a daughter & a son. Both are excellent in studies and extra-curricular activities.
My family 2
Old Poem
Be kind to your father For when you were young Who loved you as fondly as he He caught the first accent that fell from your tongue And joined in the heavenly glee
Be kind to your father For now he is old His hair intermingled with grey His footsteps are feeble — Once fearless and bold Your father is passing away
Morals & Manners
We had to study “Morals & Manners” at St. Paul’s High School. Brother Austin rewarded those who could recite poems in the book.
Rhyme (or Kar Yan ကာရန်) is an essential element of Poetry.
Outer Rhyme
In most English poems, the end of specific lines rhyme. Some Burmese will call them “Ah Pyin Kar Yan အပြင်ကာရန်”(Outer Rhyme).
Rhyming Patterns
A B A B (where the first and third lines rhyme & the second and fourth lines rhyme).
A B B A (where the first and fourth lines rhyme & the second and third lines rhyme).
Rhyming Dictionary
I received “The Rhyming Dictionary” for taking part in the Debate held by RIT English Association.
Sayas Des Rodgers, Sao Kan Gyi (GBNF) and U Khin were the judges.
I gave the book to my mentor Ashin Ananda (Laureate Poet).
Inner Rhyme
Most Burmese poems use the “Ah Twin Kar Yan အတွင်းကာရန်” (Inner Rhyme).
For example,
o o o x o o x o o x o o x o o y o o y o
…
The first rhyme (x) starts with the 4th position in the first line. It moves to the 3rd position in the second line, then to the 2nd position in the third line, and finally hits the 1st position in the fourth line.
A second rhyme (y) can be started in the line where the first rhyme ended.
Differences in Style
Mya Zin
Some poets have their opinions & preferences. They may not strictly follow the rhyming rules. A few tend to use rhymes sparsely or not at all claiming that rhythm and ideas are sufficient ingredients of a Kabyar (poem).
Dr. Nyunt Wai (Victor, SPHS63) wrote that moderate use of Kar Yan ကာရန် is acceptable, but excessive use of Kar Yan can transform a verse or poem into Ah Kar Ah Yan အကာ အရံ (secondary).
Men On The Moon In honor of Apollo 11 mission in July 1969
The Apostle of Non-violence For the Centennial of Mahatma Gandhi
To The Fallen Warrior Scholars who fought for Burma’s Independence
The Ngapali Beach Vacation with friends Vacation with family Guest lecturer at Shwe Wah Gyaing Luyechun Camp in 1988
The Phaungdaw-u Festival Inlay Khaung Daing Luyechun Camp in `1964 Vacation with friends Vacation with family
SAYA PUZAW PWE Written for the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in San Francisco in October 2000
HTAY LWIN NYO Written for an alumnus of RIT and UCC who passed away unexpectedly in San Jose, California
Men On The Moon by Hla Min
The Eagle made a soft descent And perfect rendezvous Does not the module represent A fantasy come true
To travel through that cold void space To have that faith in science To face death squarely in the face Yes, man acted with defiance
Man set foot on an alien world In July Sixty Nine That small step from the bravest man Was a giant leap for mankind
The walk in one sixth gravity Rock samples from the moon Three men who spoke with brevity For science what a boon
No event can ever equal That sublime unique mission The Apollo’s triumph will make the people Extend their own vision
Are we not brothers here on earth So let us all unit There will be heaven here on earth If we all cease to fight
The Apostle Of Non-violence By Hla Min
A man of true principle With spirit invincible He sacrificed his pleasures Faith and freedom were his treasures
No arms did he carry No threats made him tarry No torture or prison Could change his decision
He led all protests Despite threats and arrests All races and creeds Revered his deed
He could not see his dreams come true The whole world grieves his loss too Though he cared not for fame His name will indeed remain In history, O Great Gandhiji
To The Fallen Warrior By Hla Min
You fought your foes not with your bows But with a mighty pen You sang a song and made us long To free this sacred land
“Look at the colonialist tyrants They’ve made a living hell Let’s drive these murderous giants Brothers, fight and rebel
If you have faith in the Lone Star Against the red background I say Independence will not be too far” Why your advice was too sound
But you died somewhere on duty Before Burma blossomed in dawn So you could not share the real beauty Of freedom now that you’re gone
The Ngapali Beach By Hla Min
The intriguing splendor of the East Where the soft wind melts your heart Where lavish nature gives you a feast And a truly cool refreshing bath
Mountainous tides roll in like thunder Then lie helpless on the shore Fishing boats rush out all set to plunder The ocean’s unending store
To sit under a shady palm To drink a cup of juicy milk To see the raging waters turn Into undulating silk
A variety of multi-colored shells Lay on the fine grain sand No place on earth can match the spell Of this enchanted strand
The luring dragons bid you “Welcome” To this real paradise There’s lots of fun, excitement, beauty What’s more there left to advertise?
The Phaungdaw-u Festival By Hla Min
Phaungdaw-u, oh Burma’s grandeur Can truly make our hearts sublime Its mystic charm and rhyme-less splendor Have firmly stood the test of time
It lies deep in the heart of people It gives them courage and inspiration No wonder this festival has no equal It promises joy and veneration
On board the Karaweik so scintillating Stood the four images of Lord Buddha For the Noble Truth are we vindicating? What lies deep under the completed tour?
But one statue was left behind Because in writings we do find That should it ever leave the shrine There will be thunder and storm Thus a happy reunion on the morn of the full moon of Thadinkyut
From floating islands the leg rowers came To take part in the race With their muscular frame, with might and main Their oars flashing at a rapid pace
Festivities last all night long Dances to the company of ozi and gong Oh, prayers that fill the cool evening air May loving kindness prevail everywhere
SAYA PUZAW PWE By Hla Min
Seems like it was only yesterday At our alma mater in a land far away You taught us to work, play, laugh, even cry And coaxed us, forced us to aim for the sky
Problems in real life, lab, computation, survey Understand concepts, design, display, … Zeal, zest, ardor, grit, passion to make it “our day” Architects, engineers, we’ve come here to say We honor your metta, your cetana — we fully can’t repay
Presently we meet, alum from five decades we greet With memories true, fond, sweet Ecstatic yet sad that the GBNF could not join this memorable fete
HTAY LWIN NYO By Hla Min
Tribute to Dr. HTAY LWIN NYO (ex-rit, ex-ucc) Part-time Professor, EE, SJSU (1951 July – 2000 April)
He was a genius, a researcher, a friend Teaching was his passion to the very end A jack of all trades, a doctorate of one You name it, he knows it! there’s a lot he has done
Long ago he gave away a patent for a dollar With a heart so big and true, real worthy of a scholar Invest, movie script, cook, paint, car repair, … Never showed off wealth and prizes; he’s a gem so rare
News of his death — alone at home — rocked throughout the land Young, old were shocked, but they all flocked to give a helping hand On this day in May of Y2K we pray from the bottom of our heart
“Htay Lwin Nyo, we’re proud to say that though you’ve passed away you’ve done a huge part to unite kindred spirits your legacy is here to stay.”
My Poem from the commemorative Sar Saung for SPZP-2007
S ingapore-2007. We’ll gladly come. W e’ll puzaw sayas, meet friends, have fun E njoy Swe Daw Yeik Sar Saung, that’s second to none.
D azzling displays, beauty, elegance, grace A h Nyeint, duests, jokes, dances, …, spectacular plays W ill bring back fond memories of the [RIT] Swe Daw Yeik days
Y oung alums bear torches of mentors wise and old E nergetic, international family members — more precious than gold I nnovators, entrepreneurs, …, philanthropists, we are told K nowing how to strike rich and share wealth as opportunities unfold.
Note
In my later posts, I use Swel Daw instead of Swe Daw.
HlaMin 