Paritta is usually rendered as “Protective Verse”.
Early Texts
Hanthawaddy and Thudhammawaddy published early Paritta texts edited by Pali experts (e.g. Saya Phyay, U Pan Maung).
Versions
The Ministry of Religious Affairs published the standard version of 11 Pairtta Suttas, and the comprehensive version of 30+ Suttas (including the 11 Paritta Suttas).
The Suttas were approved/re-affirmed at the Sixth Buddhist Council.
Pali and Translation
Paritta texts with Pali and English translation were compiled and /or edited by Sayadaw U Silananda and Sao Htun Hmat Win.
Paritta texts with Pali and Burmese/Myanmar translation were compiled/edited by Sayadaw U Ayethaka, Dhammacariya U Soe Win, and Dhammacariya U Kyaw Lin.
Comprehensive Treatment
Comprehensive treatment of Paritta had been done by Thabyekan Sayadaw, and Sayadaw U Jotilankara.
Mon Version
Used to own a copy of a Pariita (Burmese and Mon version) given by the Dat Paung Zone Aung Min Gaung Sayadaw U Thilawunta.
Based on the Mon manuscripts. One difference is in the “last” Sutta. The Mon version has two major sections: one for chanting in the morning and one for chanting in the evening/night.
Schedule for Recitation
Customary for the Burmese Buddhist monks to recite all the 11 Suttas daily.
A recommendation for the lay people is to break up the 11 Suttas into seven groups, and chant a group per day.
The 11 Suttas will then be covered every week.
Audio
The Paritta verses by the various Sayadaws Mingun Tipitaka Sayadaw, Taung Tan Thatanapyu Sayadaw, U Silananda, Kyar Ni Kan Sayadaw, Aung San Tat Oo Sayadaw, Las Vegas Sayadaw U Zeya) are available as CDs.
Some (if not all) can be found at dhamma web sites such as dhammadownload.com and nibanna.com.
YouTube has a collection of Paritta recited by Myanmar, Sri Lankan, and Thai monks.
Forms of Pali
Pali is rendered in Romanized form (for international use) and in native versions (Myanmar, Sinhali, Thai, …).
Example: Lay people and most monks in Myanmar will say “Git sar mi”. Lay people and most (if not all) monks from Sri Lanka and Thai will say “gacchami”.
The most notable is known as the “Sterling Pound“. The British manufactured the “Silver Penny” made out of pure silver. 240 Silver Pennies presumably weighed one pound. Hence, the name “Sterling Pound”. 1 Pound = 20 shillings = 240 pennies
At one time, the Pound was tied to the “Gold Reserve“. In our younger days, 1 Pound was equivalent to about 13 Kyats.
U Pe Maung Tin First native Principal of Rangoon College Proposed to have a separate Burmese Department First Professor of Burmese Department, Rangoon University
Dr. Htin Aung Principal of Rangoon College First native Rector, Rangoon University Retired as Vice Chancellor, Rangoon University Distinguished author, historian and folk lorist
U Ba Hli Principal of Government Technical Institute (GTI) First native Dean of Engineering, Rangoon University Proponent of “Twinning” with prestigious universities in USA
Dr. Mya Tu Founder/Director, Burma Medical Research Institute (BMRI) Co-authored “Who’s who in health and medicine in Myanmar“
Dr. Chit Swe Founder/Director of Universities’ Computer Center (UCC) Pioneer of Computer Systems, Applications and Education in Burma
Khit San Sar Pay Founders
Theikpan Maung Wa (ICS U Sein Tin)
Zawgyi (U Thein Han)
Minthuwun (U Wun)
There were the early students of Sayagyi U Pe Maung Tin (Pali and Burmese Scholar) at the then newly established “Burmese Department” at the Rangoon University.
Minthuwun
UCC Founders
Dr. Chit Swe (GBNF)
U Soe Paing
U Myo Min
U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF)
Details can be found in my article “Paying Back to UCC” and several posts on Saya Chit, Saya Paing, Saya Myo and Saya Lay.
U Min Than Thoung (Maurice) and Daw Su Su taught Physics in our I. Sc (A) class in 1963.
Saya Maurice was the top student of his Honors class in 1961. He rowed as Bow in the Golden Crew along with Victor Htun Shein (Stroke, GBNF), Sunny Teng (3), Mya Maung (Min Aung, 2) and Tun Wa (Cox). They won two Senior Novices and several Color Challenge and later became RUBC Gold. Saya did graduate studies in Germany. He retired as Rector of Universities’ Distance Learning.
Rangoom Institute of Technology
We joined 2nd BE in November 1964. We had to take nine subjects including Physics.
Daw Nyein (GBNF) was Lecturer and Head of Department. She was an early Burmese female scholar to receive MS from US. She lived to be 101 years young.
Daw May Than Nwe (Joyce, GBNF) was the top student of her Honors class in 1962. She and Saya U Thein Lwin (EE) moved to Singapore.
U Saw Hlaing (GBNF) volunteered at Thu Ka Kar Yi (Sunday Cleaning) Group at Shwe Dagon Pagoda and a Lu Nge Yay Yar Nya Kyaung. He studied in Japan. He served as Principal of Taunggyi College and as Director in DHE.
U Nyunt Yin
…
U Hlwan Mo Head of Department, GBNF)
Daw Khin Swe Aye (Emily)
U Tha Hlaing (Head of Department)
…
Miscellaneous
At St. Paul’s High School, Saya Beatson taught us Physics. He also served as Scout Master. After retirement, he became a monk. He is the lone remaining saya from our SPHS days. Harry Kyaw, Atom Hla and some more Paulians offered soon to Sayadaw during his visits to Yangon.
Dr. Maung Maung Kha (GBNF) served as Rector of RU, RASU and U of Distance Learning. He is a good violinist. He attended RUBC Regattas to award prizes.
U San Tha Aung (GBNF) served as DG of DHE. He co-authored Saya Kha a Physics Textbook in Burmese.
Dr. Boon Chiong (Hla Shwe, First in Burma in 1963), Dr. Tin Maung and Dr. Tin Aung received their doctorates from US. The first two moved back to US.
Dr. Tin Aung taught at RU until he was forced to resign in 1988. Saya was elected as Patron (in absentia) of the Sayas’ Association during the 8-8-88 movement.
U Kin Sein was a Director at DHE.
U Kyaw Mya Thein (GBNF) wrote Kar Ku La Thin Char (Calculus). He retired as Pro-Rector of ICST.
Dr. Zin Aung (GBNF) won a Gold Medal as the top student in his Honors class in 1958. He received his doctorate from UK. He later taught at Assumption University.
U Thein Aung (Micky, SPHS59, GBNF) became RUBC Gold in 1962. He later became a member of the RUBC Admin Committee (after the RU Sports Council decided to ignore the Bylaws). He studied in Japan and later worked for a Japanese company in Yangon.
We took “Yupa Beda” (Physics in Burmese) in the first ever HSF (High School Final) Only examination in 1962.
The text was authored by Saya Dr. Maung Maung Kha and Saya U San Tha Aung.
Chu Pu Thein (SPHS) scored the highest marks in “Yupa Beda”. After matriculation, he left to study in Europe probably due to the 3 NRC rule.
Physics (Matriculation)
We took “Physics” (in English) in the first ever Matriculation Only examination in 1963.
One of the texts was by Sen and Gupta.
SPHS Library had reference books, e.g. Sears and Zemansky
Dr. Khin Maung U scored “only” 99. Grapevine says that the examiners reluctantly took away a point from his perfect score. He stood First in Burma and scored 299/300 in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics. He worked as a Medical Researcher and Professor. He retired from FDA.
Examination Systems
My elder brother and his friends had to sit for the HSF and Matriculation (Combined) examination.
After passing the examination, they were admitted to the Intermediate College (e.g. Yankin College) of Rangoon University.
Unfortunately, we had to sit for separate HSF and Matriculation examinations.
We took the subjects for the HSF examination in Burmese (except for English).
We took the subjects for the Matriculation examination in English (except for Burma),
We lost one year in the process, but learned some “Translation”.
For the record, we had to take four Government examinations: the last 7th Standard examination in March 1960 the first 9th Standard (HSF only) examination in March 1962 (which was nullified citing leakage of exam questions) and again in August 1962 the Matriculation only examination in May 1963
Top Matriculates who pursued Physics
Dr. Hla Shwe (Boon Chiong, Yegyaw Methodist 1953), First in Burma
Dr. Than Myint (Harry Wang, SPHS 1956), Joint Third in Burma
Dr. Htin Kyaw (Sacred Heart 1957), First in Burma
Dr. Htin Aung (Sacred Heart 1957), Sixth in Burma
Robert Sein (SPHS58), Second in Burma
Dr. Frankie Ohn (Hla Ngwe Tin, SPHS59), First in Burma
Saya Kha (Dr. Maung Maung Kha)
He studied in UK for his Ph.D. in Meteorological Physics.
Worked for a while in Meteorology Department.
Joined Physics Department of Rangoon University.
He served as Professor and later as Rector of Rangoon University, RASU and Universities’ Distance Learning.
Accomplished violinist. He and Saya U Ba Kyi sang “Only Two Darling” (rendition of “Hna Yauk Hte Nay Chin Hte” in English).
Attended RUBC Regattas and handed over Trophies (during my tenure at RUBC as Treasurer, Vice Captain and emcee/announcer).
His family members and former colleagues and students (Saya U Oo Khin Maung, Sayama Daw Thida, …) celebrated Saya’s Centennial with fund raising concerts and commemorative magazine.
U San Tha Aung
Received A.M (Physics) from Harvard University.
Served as Director of Higher Education.
Passed away after returning from an inspection tour.
Co-author of Saya Kha for Physics Texts in Burmese and English for use in High School.
Dr. Tin Aung
Dr. Hla Shwe (Boon Chiong), Dr. Tin Maung and Dr. Tin Aung studied in USA for their doctorates. Dr. Hla Shwe and Dr. Tin Maung moved to the USA.
Saya Dr. Tin Aung taught the longest at RU and served as Professor.
He was elected as a Patron of the “Saya’s Association” during 8-8-88 movement. He left that day for an education mission to the USA. Upon his return, Saya was “asked to retire” by the higher authorities.
Kan Soe Kan Kaung Sayas
In the late 60’s, several Physics sayas were selected to study in the Soviet Nation and other East Bloc nations. They were not in high spirits. They were surprised to learn that they would eventually study in UK. Grapevine says that four Burmese state scholars in GDR (German Democratic Republic, then East Germany) led protests in front of the Burmese Embassy denouncing BSPP and the government. The higher authorities were alarmed and probably concluded that it was safer to send scholars to UK. According to Saya U Thein Tan (Civil), he was selected to study in the USSR, but did not get visa (due to the political climate at that time). He ended up studying at the University of Birmingham in the UK.
My Physics Teachers
Saya Beatson (at SPHS) Became Uzin after retirement
Mehm Than Thaung (Maurice Tun Thaung, RUBC Gold) in I.Sc.(A) Retired as Rector of Universities’ Distance Learning
Daw Khin Khin Su in I.Sc.(A)
Daw Nyein in 2nd BE Passed away at 100+ years young
Daw May Than Nwe (Joyce) in 2nd BE. Passed away in Singapore within a few months of her husband Saya U Thein Lwin (EE)
Miscellaneous
U Thein Aung (Micky Tan, SPHS59, RUBC Gold) Recruited students and sayas (Dr. Htin Kyaw & Dr. Htin Aung [twins], …) to join RUBC.
U Kyaw Myint (Director, DHE) Fellow Guest Speaker at the Ngapali Luyechun Camp in 1988 Has a Foundation named after him
U Tin Oo Hlaing and U Kaung Nyunt served as Principals of College
U Kyaw Mya Thein retired as Pro-Rector from ICST.
Daw Nyunt Nyunt Win became Registrar of RASU.
U Saw Hlaing, U Kin Sein, and Mehm Than Thaung transferred to the administrative positions user the Ministry of Education.
U Hlwan Moe and U Tha Hlaing succeeded Sayamagyi Daw Nyein as Head of RIT Physics.
He is a classmate of U Tin Htoon and U Aung Kyee Myint.
He is a fellow artist of U Paw Oo Thet and Director Win Pe.
He loves Classical Music and Modern Art.
He directed the movie “Hna Ma Let Shawt Nay Lay Dawt”. The movie was hard to appreciate by most Burmese. Grapevine says that some foreigners tried to purchase the movie.
Another movie produced by Daw Khin Mar Lar (spouse of Collegian Nay Win) was traditional
U Naung Tun Lwin (M75, GBNF)
He directed several movies.
He is a classmate of Daw Mar Mar Yee, U Hla Myint Thein (Maurice), …
Thamankyar
U Aung Myint (Min70) and U Than Win (T70) are close friends and cousin brothers-in-law.
The former became known as “Thamankyar Ko Myint”.
Thamankyar Ko Myint
The latter wrote the script for the movie “Thamankyar”.
The movie was directed by A1 Than Htut and A1 Thein Htut (twin brothers).
Grapevine says that there are the reincarnation of two Japanese pilots.
The movie was produced by the studio of U Nyi Pu, Ko Myint’s grand uncle.
U Nyi Pu is considered to be the first Burmese movie actor.
Myanmar Ah Swe / A1
Daw Khin Myint, A1 U Tin Nwe, U Nyi Pu, U Maung Maung Soe (U Tin Pe), A1 U Tin Maung (winner of two Academy awards) and their extended family members had several film companies.
Notes
According to Ko San Lin (M87), YIT/YTU produced some movie stars including the following :
Ko Htin Lin , B.E (EP)1993 batch (aka) Dway ( GBNF )
Ko Aye Thein , B.E (EC) 1987 batch (aka) Min Oo.
Feedback
Aung Win (C87) wrote : Pyi Ti Oo also is an actor. Civil.
Nang Khaming (A70) wrote : Most of the people did’nt like the movie Hna ma let shawt nay lay dawt because of no dialog in the movie except ‘ pea pyout’. Mostly can’t appreciate that kind of movie,but I like that movie and appreciate .
Wint Khin Zaw (A79) wrote : Architect UKMY must be too advanced for the period. I think he directed another movie called Ba Hman Ba Zan Akyaung which was appreciated a bit more by some audience.
Uzin Bobby Myo Tun (A69) wrote : Today, 21-04-2018 happens to be Thamankyar Ko Myint’s 71st birthday! Happy birthday, Ko Myint
Many Myths have been debunked, but they still appear in posts.
Do not share Myths without verifying them first.
U E Maung is not Bagyi Aung
A post wrongly said Professor U E Maung was “Bagyi Aung”. It was liked and/or shared by thousands of readers even after U Nay Oke (St. Paul’s) had given TEDx InyaLake talk about his mother (Daw Khin Saw Mu), father (ICS U Ba Tint), his Bagyi (ICS U Tin Tut) and Minthuwun (Saya U Wun). U Nay Oke mentioned that the four main characters in “Bagyi Aung Nyar De” have all passed away.
The three younger sisters were in the charge of ICS U Tin Tut especially during the school / university holidays.
ICS U Ba Tint was U Tin Tut’s deputy.
Dr. Htin Aung is not Bagyi Aung
The earlier wrong version said that Dr. Htin Aung was Bagyi Aung.
At least the names share “Aung”.
ICS U Tin Tut is Bagyi Aung
U Tin Tut
The knowledge was a family secret, but it was later known by close friends.
U Nay Oke (St. Paul’s) gave a TEDx InyaLake talk on the subject.
HlaMin 