Blog

Talk — Metta
by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

Video Broadcast on January 10, 2021

Four Byamaso Taya
- Metta
  Unbounded Love / Loving Kindness
- Karuna
  Compassion
- Mudita
  Altruistic Joy or Sympathetic Joy
- Uppekkha
  Equanimity
Book by U Thu Kha

Metta
- Pali term
  Written in Burmese as Myitta
- Rendered as
  Unbounded Love
  Loving Kindness
- One of the four Bhamaso Taya or Bhama Vihara (along with Karuna, Mudita, and Uppekha)
- Practiced as a form of meditation
- U Silananda‘s book on Protective Verses has a section on how to practice Loving Kindness Meditation.
- Tipitaka Mingun Sayadawgyi recited the Two Methods of sending Metta.
  As mentioned in Metta Sutta
  Alternative: 528 “Metta” (13 x 4 x 12)
  They can be found on YouTube and CDs.
- “Metta Sutta” is one of the eleven Suttas in “Paritta Pali” (Protective Verses).
  Also known as Karaniya Metta Sutta
  Chanted at most Buddhist ceremonies.
- Myitta is covered along with Thitsar (Truth) in Dr. Min Tin Mon‘s book “Myitta and Thitsar“
- U Thu Kha wrote a book on Metta Sutta.
- U Jotalankara‘s book explains the 528 Metta.
- A Physics teacher said, “Myitta So Dar Ah Hlyar Ah Nan Ma Shee Bay Mei Ah Thwar Ah Pyan Shee Bar Thay Dae.”
- Metta is also used as a name or part of a name.
- Metta is a Myanmar comedian.
- Mettananda Vihara is a monastery in Northern California.
  Moved from Central Avenue, Fremont to Castro Valley.
- Metta Vihari is an association that performs Chanting, and also offers food dana at selected gatherings.
Practicing Metta

By Way of LOCATION:
- May I be well, happy and peaceful.
- May all beings in this house be well, happy and peaceful.
- May all beings in this area be well, happy and peaceful.
- May all beings in this city be well, happy and peaceful.
- May all beings in this country be well, happy and peaceful.
- May all beings in this world be well, happy and peaceful.
- May all beings in this universe be well, happy and peaceful.
- May all beings be well, happy and peaceful.
By Way of PERSONS:
- May I be well, happy and peaceful.
- May my teachers be well, happy and peaceful.
- May my parents be well, happy and peaceful.
- May my relatives be well, happy and peaceful.
- May my friends be well, happy and peaceful.
- May the indifferent persons be well, happy and peaceful.
- May the unfriendly persons be well, happy and peaceful.
- May all meditators be well, happy and peaceful.
- May all beings be well, happy and peaceful.
Metta Sutta
- Third sutta in “Paritta Pali”
- also referred to as Karaniya Metta Sutta
- Desirable qualities of a Practitioner
- Loving Kindness Meditation
- Formal
  Translation from Pali into Burmese/Myanmar and English
- Informal
  Books by Saya U Thu Kha and Saya Dr. Mehm Tin Mon
Chanting

Two ways (as per Mingun Tipitaka Sayadawgyi)
- Referred in Metta Sutta
- 528 “Metta” (13 x 4 x 12)
Buddhist Dictionary
August 10, 2025
Talk — Medical Education
by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

Video Broadcast on January 31, 2021

Dt. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint
- LMP (Licensed Medical Practitioner)
- MBBS (Calcutta)
- MBBS (Rangoon) offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Rangoon University
- “Fast track” MBBS for LMP
- Medical Branch (of RU) in Mandalay
- MBBS (Mandalay)
- New Education System
  Institute of Medicine (1)
  Institute of Medicine (2)
  Mandalay Institute of Medicine
- MD
- Ph.D
- Membership
  MRCP, MRCOG …
- Fellowship
  FRCP, FRCS …
- Physicians / Medicine
  Col Min Sein (Dean)
  Major Shwe Zan
  Dr. Maung Gale (Dean)
  Dr. Maung Maung Gyi (Rector)
  Dr. U E (Rector)
  Dr. Hla Myint (Aba)
  …
- Surgeons
  Dr. Ba Than (Police Surgeon, MS of war-time RGH, Rector)
  Dr. Pe Nyun (Ped)
  Dr. Htut Saing (Ped)
  Dr. Maung Maung Taik(Forensic)
  Dr. Min Lwin (Ortho)
  …
August 10, 2025
Talk — Luyechun
by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

Video Broadcast on November 14, 2020

Inlay Luyechun in 1965

Introduction
- Luyechun is an award presented by the Ministry of Education to selected “outstanding students“.
- The initial program ran from 1964 to 1988.
- A new program was established a few years back.
- I was selected as RIT Luyechun in the summer of 1965.
- I was invited as a Guest Speaker to the Ngapali Luyechun Camp in the summer of 1988.
Summer of 1964
- The first Luyechun camp was opened at Ngapali in the summer of 1964.
- It was for Luyechuns for 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th standards.
Some Luyechuns
- Ko Win Myint (Mergui, UCC)
- Ko Win Aung (TTC, Mech 70, RIT Swimming and Water Polo)
- Ko Kyaw Zaw (TTC, EC72, GBNF)
- Ma Pwint Than (Loikaw, EP71)
- Ko Oak Soe Kha (IM1, Swimming and Water Polo)
- Ko Aung Myint (Mdy)
- Ko Tin Soe (Ygn, DSA, Attaché)
Summer of 1965
- The second Luyechun camp was opened at Inlay in the summer of 1965.
- For the first time, Luyechuns were selected for the Universities and Institutes.
Staff at Inlay Camp
- U Aung Gyi (Maths, MASU)
- Dr. Daw May May Yi (IM2)
- Daw Po (Burmese)
- Dr. Naing Tint San (Med Officer)
- U Khin Aung
- U Khin Maung Htwe
- U Than Tun Aung Hlaing
- Lu Nge Yay Yar / Youth Affairs
Some Luyechuns
- Ma Than Than Tin (Cherry Hlaing, First in Burma in 1964, IM1)
- Ko Khin Maung U (First in Burma in 1963, IM1)
- Ma Anita Aye Pe (IM1)
- Ko Kyaw Sein Koe (IM1, GBNF)
- Ko Thein Win (IM2)
- Ko Soe Aung / Soe Min Thein (IM2)
- Ko Tun Naung (BDS, Stereo)
- Ko Tin Hlaing (MASU, Le Dwin Tha Saw Chit, Literary Awards)
- Ma Khin Aye Myint (RASU)
- Ma Mu Mu Win (RASU)
- Ko Min Oo (Second in Burma in 1963, RASU, Mathematics Professor in Germany and Canada)
- Ko Ye Myint (RASU)
- Ma Khin Aye Than (RASU, GBNF)
- Ko / Maung Aye (RASU, Diplomat)
- Ko Mya Than (RASU)
- Ko Zaw Min (RIT)
- Ko Hla Min (RIT)
- Ma Khin Than Myint Tin (RIT)
- Ko Sein Shwe (RIT)
- …
- They attended the Inlay camp together with the 10th standard Luyechuns.
  Ko Than Sit (Sagaing, Liver Foundation, GBNF)
  Ko Uttam Singh (Myitkyina, RIT, NASA)
  Ko Win Myint (Letpadan, RIT, Bogyoke / Dy Minister)
  Ko Aung Myint (Mandalay)
  Ko Aung Kyaw Nyunt (Myingyan)
  Ko Kyaw Myint (Yamethin)
  Ko Kyaw Myint (Delta)
  Ko Nelson Kaw (Taunggyi)
  Ko Thein Lwin
  Ko Hla Kyaing (Yangon)
  …
- There were two other camps : Rangoon Combined Camp and Ngapali Camp (for the lower classes).
- The staff members from Lu Nge Yay Yar (Youth Affairs) were responsible for the logistics.
- Selected sayas and sayamas took charge of the Luyechuns.
  They include Dr. May May Yi (then at IM(2), later DG of BMRI), Daw Po (later Professor of Burmese), and U Aung Gyi (MASU Maths).
- There was a mishap when one student got injured during a “mandatory” exercise program.
- For this and other reasons, the later Camp Commandants were chosen from Sayagyis (e.g. U Ba Toke).
Front : Than Sitt, Sein Shwe, Min Oo, Nelson Kaw, Kyaw Myint
Back : Soe Aung, Aung Kyaw Nyunt, Aung Shwe, Hla Min, U Khin Aung

Front : Than Sitt, Aung Kyaw Nyunt, Min Oo
Back : Soe Aung, Kyaw Myint, Sein Shwe, Ye Myint, Hla Min

Front : Hla Min
Back : Aung Myint, Aung Kyaw Nyunt, Tin Maung Htwe, Ye Myint, Sein Shwe
- Tekkatho Tun Naung (1st year BDS, madolin) and Ko Sein Shwe (4th BE Mech, dobat, harmonica, flute) were some of the entertainers for the Luyechun concert. U Aung Gyi (Maths, MASU) wrote the “Than Gyurt”.
- Ko Tin Hlaing (Le Dwin Thar Saw Chit, 1st year Burmese, MASU) was a notable contributor to the daily pamphlets.
- Some high school Luyechun students later joined RIT. They include Ko Win Myint (later Bogyoke), Ko Aung Win (later Saya), Uttam Singh (later Ph.D working at NASA), Ma Pwint Than (later EPC), …
- The guest lecturers include Saya U Thein Han (Zawgyi), Saya Dr. Nyi Nyi, and U Thu Ta (Met and Hydro DG).
- Trips include Lawpita Dam and selected factories and departments.
Miscellaneous
- Htut Kwan
- 7-time winner
- 6-time winner
- …
- 2-time winner
- Association
- Gatherings
- FB Group
- Support new generation of LYC
- Donation for prevention / treatment of COVID
- Database of LYC
- Active members
- GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten)
Guest Lecturers in 1965
- Dr. Nyi Nyi (Secretary / Dy Minister)
- U Thu Ta (DG, Met and Hydro)
- U Thein Han (Zawgyi)
- …
Guest Lecturers in 1987/88
- U Kyaw Myint (DHE)
- U Hla Min (UCC/DCS/ICST)
- …
Luyechun Association
- A few years back, Luyechun (1964-1988) Association was formed.
  The association meets one or more times a year.
- There have been Annual Dinner Gatherings.
- It has a Facebook group.
- There are “Then and Now” photos of some Luyechuns.
- Some are “Hturt Kwan” (Multiple) Luyechuns.
  Some were selected Luyechun for a consecutive number of years.
  A few won the award six or seven times.
- Some Luyechuns have passed away.
- Dr. Kyaw Sein Koe (IM 1) passed away early.
- H.E. U Myint Thaung and U Myint Thin (M71, RIT) are some Luyechuns who passed away recently.
Another Trip to Inlay in October 1965
- As part of the award, one received a 50% travel discount.
- During the October holidays in 1965, I took on the offer from Ko Aung Kyaw (Peter Pe, SPHS, star in one movie) to join him and Ko Maung Maung Aye (IM(1), GBNF) to visit his cousin doctor in Inn Paw Khone (Inlay village).
- I visited Phaung Daw-U again with a difference (as expressed in my poem).
PHAUNG DAW-U FESTIVAL

Phaung Daw-U, oh Burma’s grandeur
Can truly make our hearts sublime
Its mystic charm and rhymeless 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

Last Trip to Inlay in January 2020
- I was invited to join the 2020 Professional Speakers Association (PSA) Tour to selected cities in Upper Myanmar.
- Several hotels sponsored part of the tour and/or provided discount rates to the Tour group.
- At the end of the tour, we visited Inlay.
  Two PSA sayas provided a short training course for the employees of the hotel.
August 10, 2025
Talk — Karuna, Mudita, Uppekha
by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

Video Broadcast on January 11, 2021

Four Byamaso Taya
- Metta
  Unbounded Love / Loving Kindness
- Karuna
  Compassion
- Mudita
  Altruistic Joy or Sympathetic Joy
- Uppekkha
  Equanimity
Karuna
- Pali term
- Rendered as Compassion
- One of the four Bhamaso Taya
- Buddha is called “The Compassionate One”
- Mahayana Buddhists emphasize the importance of Compassion
- Sayadaw U Sobhana (GBNF) had four Indonesian siblings as his students.
  Named one of them Karuna.
  She was present at Sayadaw’s Last Journey.
- U Moe Myint (M76) and several alumni are members of the “Karuna Ah Thinn” in Singapore.
  One activitiy is to help the needy for the Last Journey of their loved one.
- We saw an outpouring of Karuna in the relief efforts for Disaster Recovery (e.g. Cyclone Nargis)
Practicing Karuna
- May suffering ones be suffering-free
- And the fear-struck fearless be
- May the grieving shed all grief
- And all beings find relief
Mudita
- Pali term.
- Rendered as Altruistic Joy or Sympathetic Joy
- One of the four Bhamaso Taya
- One should feel joyful when one hears good news about others.
Myanmar Mudita Sar Saung
- Saya U Nyunt Htay (Met73) is Chief Editor
- Contributor : Tekkatho Moe War (U Moe Aung)
Upekkha
- Pali term
- Rendered as Neutral [Feeling]
- Also translated as Equanimity
- One of the four Bhamaso Taya
In a loose usage in Burmese, “Upekkha Shu” means “ignore”. It is not representative of the importance of Upekkha, which provides a balance of life and avoids the two extremes stated in the Dhammacakka Sutta

It is non-trivial to sense Upekkha while practicing Vipassana (Insight) Meditation.

Feelings may be be categorized as
- Pleasant Feeling
- Unpleasant Feeling
- Non-Pleasant and Non-Unpleasant Feeling
Upekkha is synonymous with “Non-Pleasant and Non-Unpleasant Feeling”.

Buddhist Dictionary
August 10, 2025
Hack
by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

U Hla Min

In the early days of Computing, a Hack is defined to be a “useful and/or beautiful piece of code.”

Hacker
- Some students, who worked at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Computing Laboratories, preferred working on code rather than attending courses.
- They feel proud of their Hacks and are addressed as Hackers.
- Over time, Unethical Hackers emerged.
- Ethical Hackers also rose to defend against the Unethical Hackers.
- Most people do no know or care about the difference between Ethical and Unethical Hackers.
Ethical Hackers
- They try to break the security of computer systems and applications.
- They propose solutions to defend the possible attacks of Unethical Hackers.
- They are known as White Hats.
Unethical Hackers
- They inflict damage to hardware, software and data systems.
- They may steal and sell sensitive information.
- One study says that it is safer and lucrative to be a Criminal Hacker (also referred to as Cracker) than selling drugs (which can lead to imprisonment and death in some countries).
- The underground business for malware (viruses, Trojan horses, …) is valued at multi-billion dollars.
August 10, 2025
Talk — English Study 2
by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

Video Broadcast on January 23, 2021

U Hla Min

Courses and/or Tests
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
- English as a Specialty Language (ESL)
My English Teachers
- I.Sc.(A)
  Daw Khin Kyi Kyi
  Daw Tinsa Maw Naing
- RIT
  Saya Des Rodgers
  Saya U Khin
  Saya U Win Mra
Some Reference Books
- Idioms
- Proverbs
- How to improve your diction
- Rhyming Dictionary
August 10, 2025
Talk — Three
by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

Video Broadcast on January 15, 2021

U Hla Min

Numerals
- Hindu-Arablic numeral : 3
- Roman numeral : III
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)
Trinity
- Father
- Son
- Holy Spirit
Most well-known Hindu Gods
- Brahma, the Creator
- Vishnu, the Preserver
- Shiva, the Destroyer
Early NASA Projects
- Mercury : carried only one astronaut
- Gemini : carried two astronauts
- Apollo : carried 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 (or attack)
- Sustain
- Fall (or decay)
Prime constituents of an atom
- Electron
- Proton
- Neutron
Persuasion Techniques
- Ethos
- Pathos
- Logos
Typical Toastmasters Meeting
- Prepared Speeches
- Table Topics (Impromptu Speeches)
- Evaluation
Three-valued Logic
- Yes
- No
- Do not care
Essay (and most writings)
- Introduction (or Beginning)
- Body
- Conclusion (or Ending)
Medals
- Gold (for first prize)
- Silver (for second prize)
- Bronze (for third prize)
Measurement of Time
- Hour
- Minute
- Second
Angular Measure
- Degree
- Minute
- Second
Academic Degrees
- Bachelor
- Master
- Doctorate
Some School Types
- Primary School
- Middle School
- High School
August 10, 2025
Numbers
by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

U Hla Min

Value of a number

Value of a number in positional notation depends upon the Base or Radix.

In the Decimal system (Base Ten), 1001 has a value of a thousand and one.

In the Binary system (Base Two), 1001 has a value of 9.

Folklore
- “One Thousand and One Nights” (also known as Arabian Nights) is from the Arabic Folklore.
- Scheherazade told 1001 stories to defer her death.
Numerical Palindrome
- A palindrome reads the same forward and backward.
- 101, 1001 and 123454321 are numerical Palindromes.
Ramanujan and the Beauty of numbers

Ramanujan was highly interested in Mathematics and ignored other subjects in College.

Ended up as an employee in a post office.
Bold enough to send his handwritten notes to Professor Hardy (Cambridge University), who sponsored him.

Ramanujan later fell gravely ill.
Professor Hardy went to see him in a hospital. He supposedly told Ramanujan that he rode a taxi cab with 1729 on its license.

Ramanujan replied, “That is an interesting number. It is the smallest number that can be represented as the sum of two cubes in two ways.”

1729 = 729 + 1000 = 9*9*9 + 10*10*10

1729 = 1 + 1728 = 1*1*1 + 12*12*12

Ramanujan’s works are still being studied and refined by Mathematicians.
August 10, 2025
RUESU Magazine
by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

Tekkatho Moe War

From Saya U Moe Aung

Dear Ko Hla Min,

Thanks to Saya U Soe Paing for his great endeavour in visiting the UCL (Universities’ Central Library) numerous times [in January 2012] to gather and record invaluable information relating to RIT (and BOC college of Engineering as well). And thanks to you for archiving all through your emails and keeping all RITians gelled together.

Only when did Saya U Soe Paing mention Engineering Students’ Magazines, that I happen to recall one Engineering Students’ Magazine in which I was part of it. That was in Academic Year 1960-1961. I was still an Electrical Engineering Student at that time (2nd year, or, by the present calling, 4th year). At Rangoon University (Main University) they had a University Students’ Union (in Burmese, Thud Meg-ga is translated as Union), and we had correspondingly an Engineering Students’ Union as well at our Faculty of Engineering at Leik-Khone (Dome), Prome Road.

At that time I met one Ko Hla Tin (Civil) who was my senior and several years older than me, staying at Prome Hall which was adjacent to Leik Khone, only separated by a fence. He was an avid poet (pen name Kay-tu Win Tint, from Taunggoo) and I used to visit his room at Prome Hall to talk about poems and literature during lunch or break times. I also met one senior (can’t recall his name, I think Ko Sein Hlaing) who was the Secretary of the Students’ Union. After some lively discussions, we decided to issue an Engineering Students’ Union Annual Magazine and they made me the Chief Editor. The Magazine consisted of two sections, Burmese and English, of which Saya U Aung Khin (Mech) was the English Editor.

I still have the 1960-61 issue neatly tucked in a cupboard in Yangon.

Now I remember that Ko Sein Hlaing (EE?) is still in Yangon, helping to look after his grand children, but not in good health. Ko Sein Hlaing’s daughter was my daughter’s very close friend since their childhood days. We met once in Singapore about 12 years back.

Dear Ko Hla Min, this is the time to reminisce and be happy about the good old days and try to fly back with whatever time machine we could get hold of. Time really flies and we should realize that our days are numbered.

Publications
- Saya published “Collection of Poems” :
  some books by himself (e.g. Pearl in My Heart) and some with collaborators (e.g. Swel Daw Poems).
- He also published a collection of articles (e.g. Sea of Men & selected articles)
- During one of my visits to Rangoon, he gave me an autographed copy of his book.
Autographed copy

Cover

Musings by Tekkatho Moe War and Maung Sein Win (Padeegone)
August 10, 2025
Holidays and Events
by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

Some holidays
- have fixed date
- have relative dates
- are designated as Public holidays
- are religious
January
- Jan 1 : New Year’s Day
- Jan 4 : Independence Day in Myanmar
- Martin Luther King’s Day in US
- Occasionally : Lunar New Year
February
- Feb 12 : Union Day
- Feb 13 : Children’s Day (Bogyoke Aung San’s birthday)
- Feb 14 : Valentine’s Day
- US Presidents’ Day
- Occasionally : Lunar New Year
- Occasionally : Full Moon Day of Tabodwe — Htamane Pwe & [Buddha’s] Exhortation Day
March
- Mar 2 : Peasant’s Day was moved from Jan 1 in order to celebrate the Coup D’eat
- Phone Maw Day
- Burma’s Human Rights Day (celebrated by Berkeley)
- Mar 27 : Resistance Day was renamed as Armed Forces Day
- First Day of Spring : Persian New Year
April
- Thingyan : Three or four days of Water Festival
- Myanmar New Year
May
- May 1 : May Day in some countries
- May 5 : Cinco de Mayo
- Mother’s Day in the US
June
- Jun 6 : D Day
- Jun 6 : Ah Loke Thamar Ah Yay Ah Khinn
- Father’s Day in the US
July
- Jul 4 : Independence Day in the US
- Jul 7 : Students’ protest that was brutally crushed
- Jul 8 : Demolition of the Rangoon University Student’s Union
- Jul 19 : Arzani Nay
- Apollo 11 landed in Tranquility Bay on the Moon in July 1969
- My poem “Men on the Moon” was sent to NASA via USIS. A copy was published in the Guardian.
August
- 8-8-88 : start of a long struggle to restore Democracy in Myanmar
- Several birthdays in my extended family
September
- Crushing the hopes of Multi-party Democracy
- Occasionally : End of Burmese Buddhist Lent
October
- Occasionally : End of Burmese Buddhist Lent (Thadinkyut)
- “Deepavali” or “Diwali” celebrations are also celebrated around October. It is known as the “Festival of Lights”.
- “Halloween” occurs every year on October 31 with “Trick or
- Treat” by the children and [optional] “Halloween Costume Party” by young and old adults.
November
- Elections in the US (Local races & Resolutions every year, House of Representatives every two years, One third of Senators every two years, President every four years)
- Nov 22 : JFK assassinated (Conspiracy Theory survives)
- Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the US
December
- U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khinn : dark day in the history of Burma
- Apollo 8 orbited the Moon in December 1968
- Dec 25 : Christmas
- Dec 31 : New Year’s Eve
Grapevine says that some holy days are preceded by some “fun events”.
- Halloween (October 31) precedes “All Saints Day” (November 1).
- Similarly, “Mardi Gras” (“Fat Tuesday”) falls on the day before “Ash Wednesday” signifying the start of the Lent.
Thingyan Su Paung Ya Han Khan
August 9, 2025