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  • The Nine Essential Factors Which Strengthen the Indiriya of a Vipassana Meditating Yogi (Volume 1)

    Author : Ashin Kundalabhivamsa
    Mahasi Nayaka, Kamatthanacariya Sadhhammaramsi Center Sayadaw

    Translator and Publisher: [Dr. Daw] Khin Mya Mya [Ph.D]
    Singapore
    later relocated to US

    CONTENTS

    Biography of Sayadaw U Kundalabhivamsa
    Preface

    Chapter 1 : The Vipassana Bhavana
    (a) Vipassana meditation
    (b) How to note the Kaya

    (i) How to note the mind objects

    Chapter 2 : First Factor Which Strengthen the Indiriya of a Vipassana Meditating Yogi
    (a) The benefits of Vipassana meditation
    (b) How difficult it is to have a chance to practise Vipassana meditation
    (c) The ability of the yogi to direct his mind on the nature of cessation of phenomena

    Chapter 3 : Second Factor Which Strengthen the Indiriya of a Vipassana Meditating Yogi
    (a) How to note respectfully and penetratively
    (b) How to note to be right at the present

    (g) How to note to overcome the Upekkha Vedana

    Chapter 4 : Third Factor Which Strengthen the Indiriya of a Vipassana Meditating Yogi (Part 1)
    (a) The ability of the yogi to note continuously
    (b) The first Samphajhana instruction
    (c) The second Samphajhana instruction
    (d) The third Samphajhana instruction

    Chapter 5 : Third Factor Which Strengthen the Indiriya of a Vipassana Meditating Yogi (Part 2)
    (a) The fourth Samphajhana instruction
    (b) The fifth Samphajhana instruction
    (c) The sixth Samphajhana instruction
    (d) The seventh Samphajhana instruction

    Chapter 6 : Fourth Factor Which Strengthen the Indiriya of a Vipassana Meditating Yogi
    (a) The suitable meditation center

    (g) The suitable posture

    Chapter 7 : Fifth Factor Which Strengthen the Indiriya of a Vipassana Meditating Yogi
    (a) The causes of his attaining the Samadhi

    (d) Two types of individuals whose finding of Dhamma is slow

    Conclusion

    Quick reference from Pali to English Language

  • Book Presents

    I received books from some authors, sayadaws, sayas, friends and relatives.

    • Saya U Aung Myaing
      e.g. Collection of Swel Daw Poems by five RIT Poets
    • Saya U Aung Zaw
      e.g. Bawa and Dhamma,
      Cetana Thi Thar Kan
    • Saya U Ba Than
      e.g. Memoirs for his 78th birthday
      Dhamma dana for his birthdays
    • Saya U Ba Toke
      e.g. Life Journey of Professor U Ba Toke (by Maung Thin Char)
    • Beelin Sayadaw
      Two of his books, e.g. Destroying the Five Aggregates
      Buddhist Terms (in Myanmar and English)
    • Saya Des Rodgers
      e.g. Book of usage
    • Dhamma Beri Sayadaw
      several booklets
    • Sayadaw U Dhammapiya
      several books
    • Sayadaw U Gosita
      several booklets
    • U Htain Lin
      two books, e.g. Politician / Author
    • U Htein Win
      8-8-88
    • Sayadaw U Jotalankara
      several books
    • Junior Win
      Two books about U Khin Maung Latt and Daw Khin Myo Chit
    • Sayadaw U Kelasa
      Several books, e.g. Q&A about Buddhism
    • U Khin Maung Zaw
      e.g. U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khin, Translation of Zawgyi’s kabyars
    • U Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing
      Several books. e.g. Leadership, Bagan history
    • Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkaho Moe War)
      Several books, e.g. Collection of poems, Collection of articles
    • Sayadaw U Nyanika
      Several books
    • Saya U Nyunt Htay
      e.g. Collection of Swel Daw Poems by five RIT Poets
      Myanmar Mudita Sar Saung
    • Shwe Ku May Hnin
      Nga Doh Khit Ka Tekkatho
    • Sayadaw U Silanandabhivasmsa
      Several books
      Edited : Collection of dhamma talks, Homage to Sayadaw
    • Steeve Kay
      Six steps to a Dream
    • Maung Swan Yi
      Bah Le He
    • U Tha Hlaing
      This is Sydney
    • Saya U Than Htay
      Veda Calculations
    • Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint
      Book honoring his 70th birthday
    • U Thein Naing (Patrick) and Daw Mie Mie
      Present for birthday
    • Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt
      Several books from his circulating library
    • U Tun Aung (Jeffrey) and Daw Thuza
      Book by Dr. Kan Nyunt
    • U Wint Khin Zaw
      Autobiography by his father BBS U Khin Zaw (“K”)
    • U Ye Sint
      His books
      Pathan (Dhamma dana by his siblings)
  • Books (3)

    • The Dawn of Wisdom
    • Poems of Nature
    • Pa Yeik Kyee Theik Kha
    • Nga Kyan Pyan Kyaung Centennial

    The Dawn of Wisdom

    Subtitle : On the Practice of Vipassana Satipatthana
    by Sayadaw U Lakkhana (of Sagaing Hills)

    Translator : U Mya Thaung
    Editor : Gregory Pai, Ph.D.
    Publisher : Sukhavati
    Dhamma dana publication, 2002

    Contents

    Four Foundations of Mindfulness

    Basic Satipatthana Instructions

    The Hindrances (1)
    The Hindrances (2)
    The Hindrances (3)
    Effort, Mindfulness, and Concentration
    Right Aim
    Right Effort
    Insight Knowledge
    The Home Object and Walking Meditation
    Walking Meditation and Insight Knowledge
    Walking Meditation
    Clear Comprehension (1)
    Clear Comprehension (2)
    The Three Characteristics
    Discerning Mind and Body
    Contemplation of Feelings
    Painful Bodily Feelings
    The Truth of Suffering
    Conclusion

    Poems of Nature

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is swe-aye-1.jpg
    • Dr. Lyn Swe Aye (Lynston Than Maung, MEHS 63, IM2 70) gave me an autographed copy.
    • Two of his poems appear in the collection.
    • His translation of Saya Zaw Gyi’s “Beda Lann” appeared in a PBS Documentary.
    • He is a member of the Editorial Board for selected publications by University of California at Berkeley.
    • Dr. Swe Aye and Dr. Khin Nyo Thet founded the Aye-Thet Scholarship, which is administered by TBSA and extended by the devotees of Sayadaw U Silananda.

    Pa Yeik Kyee Theik Kha

    • Practice Book on Protective Verses
    • By “Thamane Kyaw” / Sayadaw U Dhammika
    • “Pa Yeik Kyee” (Paritta Pali, or Protective Verses)” is recited in part or full by monks, novices, and lay people
    • Sayadaw wrote a “Work book” to learn and practice Pali terms, phrases & grammar from “Paritta Pali”.
    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is paritta-practice.jpg

    Nga Kyan Pyan Kyaung Centennial

    The first Resident Sayadaw was from Dawei (Tavoy). He successfully recited five Dhamma Texts (Kyan). A book was published to celebrate the Centennial of the founding of the “Nga Kyan Pyan (Dawei) Sasana Yeiktha“.

    I was asked to contribute an article. I stressed the importance of time.

    I received a copy of the book. I was sad to see some typos and errors that should have been caught by the proof reader and the type setter.

  • Books (2)

    • Mahasi Sayadaw
    • Dr. Mehm Tin Mon
    • U Jotalankara

    Mahasi Sayadaw

    Tathagata Meditation Center (TMC) published “Fundamentals of Vipassana Meditation” by Mahasi Sayadaw for dhamma dana.

    Dr. Mehm Tin Mon

    • Saya authored several books in Myanmar and English.
    • Saya also taught Abhidhmma.

    U Jotalankara

    Sayadaw authored books in Myanmar, English and Pali. He also published a book of his poems.

  • Passion

    Broadcast on October 16, 2020

    Definition (multiple senses)

    Religion
    The Last Passion of Christ (movie)
    Suffer for a cause

    Music
    e.g musical piece about St. Matthew

    General
    Enthusiasm about something
    Passion for helping
    Passion of life
    Attitude

    *****

    Success

    may require Passion and Persistence in addition to Talent, Big Dreams, Purpose, Goals

    *****

    Caution

    Nazis and Fascists also have Passion and Goals

    Uncontrollable Passion can produce i’ll effects

    *****

    Samples

    Passion to publish Myanmar magazines overseas
    Golden / Shwe Padauk Magazine
    Mandalay Gazette
    Myanmar Gazette

    Passion to prevent starvation (during the pandemic)
    14 Local Groups giving out 6 Pyi of rice to eligible households

    Passion to help the prevention and treatment of Covid
    Donation by individuals and groups around the world
    Cash
    Kind (equipment, test kits, ambulance car …)

    Passion to develop young leaders
    Various programs (e.g Community Centers)
    On-line courses (various countries
    some by retired educators and professionals)

    Passion to pay back the metta and cetana of sayas
    Saya Pu Zaw Pwe
    Health Care for senior sayas

  • Intellectual Property

    Broadcast on October 29, 2020

    Types

    • Patent
    • Trademark
    • Copyright
    • Trade Secret

    Patent

    Patent Law

    Varies with Countries

    Patent Office

    Patent Search

    Patent Types

    Utility

    Design

    Plant

    Patent Examples

    Steeve Kay (U Thaung Sein) and team of IC designers
    MOSFET Power Amplifier

    Dr. Lay Kay (co-founder of QTC with her elder brother Steeve)
    6 patents related to “Disability Claims”

    Contentions

    John Mauchly’s visit to Iowa College and Atanasoff-Berry’s ABC

    Patent violation cases in Computers and Communications

    Copyright

    Tangible products

    Books

    Songs

    After expiration, enters Public Domain

    Trade Secret

    Example

    Coca Cola

    Miscellaneous

    COPYLEFT
    Free Software Foundation

    Some small companies (with sizable IP) are bought by big companies

    Cross-licensing of patents by big companies

  • Leader

    Broadcast on October 12, 2020

    Types

    Dictator / Tyrant

    Egoless / Servant Leader

    *****

    Qualities

    L : Listener
    Last to speak at meeting
    Lead by example
    Leverage technology

    E : Ethical
    Energetic
    Entrepreneurial (set Vision)

    A : Authentic (true to self)
    Aware
    Analytical
    Act

    D : Decisive
    Democratic
    Dedicated

    E : Egoless (not selfish)
    Enquiring mind
    Enthusiastic

    R : Rational
    Responsible (Accountable)
    Realistic

    *****

    Not all managers are Leaders

    Not all who have power are Leaders

    Leaders know when and how to delegate

    Leaders do not blame team members for making mistakes (as long as they do not repeat the mistakes)

    Leaders can come from all walks of life

    *****

    Often quoted leaders

    John F Kennedy (for his bold plan for sending Men to the Moon)

    Winston Churchill (for his war time speeches and leadership)

    Mother Theresa

    Nelson Mandela

    Martin Luther King, Jr.

    Proponents of egoless leadership

  • Poetry

    Broadcast on October 8, 2020

    *****

    Kabyar

    Nursery Rhyme

    Minthuwun (Saya U Wun)

    Zawgyi (Saya U Thein Han)

    Selected Kabyar Sayas

    Kar Yan (Rhyme)

    Free Verse

    *****

    Poetry

    Basics

    Men on the Moon (1969)

    SAYA PU ZAW PWE (2000)

    Publications
    Guardian
    Working People’s Daily
    Forward Magazine
    RIT Alumni International Newsletter
    Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung
    FB pages
    hlamin.com (web site)

    *****

    Gatha

    Poem in Pali

    Selected Sutta

    Translation in Myanmar, English

    *****

    Translation of Kabyars

    Tekkatho Moe War
    Okpo Maung Yin Maung
    Maung Nyunt Htay (Ah Htet Min Hla)
    Win Myint (M72)
    Maung Sein Win (Padeegone)

    Some already published as POETIC ART with illustrations by Bagyee U Myo Myint (M73).

    *****

    Miscellaneous

    Poetry from other nations

    Panelist at 5th Irrawaddy Literary Festival (Mandalay, November 2019)

    Books / recordings

  • Mandalay University

    Mandalay

    • Mandalay College was affiliated with Rangoon University
    • Mandalay College later became Mandalay University
    • U Ko Lay (Zeyar Maung) served as Vice Chancellor of Mandalay University
    • U Hla Shwe served as Rector of Mandalay Arts and Science University (MASU)
    • Medical classes were offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Rangoon University
    • Some (e.g. Dr. Maung Maung Nyo) attended the BMF (Branch Medical Facility) at Mandalay
      The students were registered at Rangoon University
    • Mandalay later has its own Medical College
    • Dr. Maung Maung Gyi served as Rector of Mandalay Institute of Medicine
    Dr. Maung Maung Gyi

    Some Medical Graduates Trained at BMF Mandalay

    By Dr. Maung Maung Nyo

    1. Dr Myint Lwin MRCP, Director-General of Medical Research (Retired)
    2. Dr Nyunt Lwin (Leonard Muhammad) MD. (USA) (Florida)
    3. Dr Aung Khin Sint M.Sc.(Community Medicine) NLD (Deceased)
    4. Dr Lay Maung M.Sc.(Public Health)
    5. Dr Prakash Singh Talwar MD.(USA) (Chicago)
    6. Dr Krisna Brajwaja MD (USA) (Pennsylvania)
    7. Dr S. Kumar MRCP (India)
    8. Dr Aung Than M.Med.Sc. (Orthopedics)
    9. Dr Yash Pal M.Med. Sc (Anaes.)
    10. Dr B.S. Ko Lay Ph.D. (Anatomy) (Melbourne)
    11. Dr Tan Myint Maung M.Med.Sc.( Medicine) (Rangoon)
    12. Dr S. Hla Mong FRCS (Edin) (Deceased)
    13. Dr Than Aung FRCS (Edin)
    14. Dr Sheila San San Myint (FFARCS, England)
    15. Dr Muriel Yi Yi Myint MD (Psychiatrist) (USA) (Florida)
    16. Dr Than Yin DPM (Psychiatrist) (Rangoon)
    17. Dr San Yi Ph.D. (Dublin) (Professor, Retired, Mandalay)
    18. Dr Maung Maung Nyo Ph.D. (London), M.A.(Michigan State), FOMERAD
  • Sad Decline

    Burmese Currency

    • The Union Bank of Burma issued Burmese Currency notes backed by Gold Reserves.
    • The bills were signed by authorities (e.g. Sithu U Kaung, U San Lin).
    • One US dollar traded at 5 – 6 kyats, and one Sterling pound around 12 – 13 kyats.

    Old Receipt from 1979

    • The Old Receipt (for 146 Kyats and 50 Pyas) is a testament of the purchasing power in the 70s.
    • It was for a farewell dinner for Saya U Myo Win (M/Ag65, GBNF) by 25 members of the RIT Automobile Club.

    Decline in the value of the Kyat

    Between 1962 and 1988, three rounds of Demonetization, mismanagement, … saw a huge decline in the value of the Kyat.

    Snap shots of the exchange rate :

    • 1 Kyat = 4 (or more) Bahts (Early days)
    • 1 Kyat = 1 Baht (Baht Taik Kyat Taik Khit)
    • 4 (or more Kyats) = 1 Baht

    Notes

    • In 2021, Myanmar was hit hard by Covid-19 and a senseless “Failed Coup”.
    • They resulted in a sharp decline of Economy, Education, Heath and Social Services.