In the dining hall, there is an album about Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa’s early years in the US (e.g. meditation retreat at a church, dhamma classes at a Zen Buddhism Temple).
There are also photos about the Summer Camp for children and young adults.
There are two cabinets of books: one for dhamma dana distribution, and another for sale.
Newsletter
The “Dhamma Bell Newsletter” was edited by volunteers (U Theikdi & Maureen O’Brien).
It was published quarterly.
It featured dhamma talks given at TMC and also recipes (e.g. vegetarian spring rolls).
Sayadaws
Panditarama Sayadaw
Panditarama Sayadaw
Sayadawgyi conducted Annual Meditation Retreats.
Later, he assigned Sayadaws to conduct the Retreats on his behalf.
Beelin Sayadaw
Beelin Sayadaw
Spent over a decade as Chief Resident Sayadaw at TMC
Back in Myanmar, Sayadaw resided at Hse Mile Gone and Panditarama
Passed away on June 18, 2025.
TMC will have a ceremony on July 19, 2025 starting at 2 PM to honor Beelin Sayadaw.
U Dhammika (Tharmane Kyaw Sayadaw)
Sayadaw taught Pali courses at TMC
He wrote “Pali Sikkha ပါဠိသိက္ခာ” (Practicing Pali) texts.
Edwin David (SPHS, GBNF) served as Priest of St. Mary’s Cathedral.
Bernard Taylor (SPHS) was a Missionary in Phillipines. Came back to Upper Burma.
Anthony Lourdes (SPHS) was the third classmate to become a Father (Catholic Priest).
Aung Chaw (Victor, SPHS63, C69) became Ashin Ukkamsa after retirement. First monastery was in Sagaing Hills. Current monastery is in Thone Gwa, Delta region.
Uzin Aung Chaw
Phillip Ba Maung (different section of SPHS63) passed away as a monk.
Myo Tun (Bobby, Errol Than Tun, Dio, A69) became Ashin Pannagavesaka after retirement. Was Dhamma Librarian, Editor & Interpreter at Mawlamyaing Pa Auk Monastery. Taught English to selected monks and youths in various cities
Uzin Bobby
Other Sayadaws
U Win Paing (SPHS64, ChE70) became U Wara after taking his final exam. Was တိုက်အုပ် for many years at the Kaba Aye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung. He succeeded U Vinaya as Chief Resident Monk. He is now GBNF.
U Wara
Sayadaw U Jotika (EP73) is a prolific writer.
U Jotika
U Bo Gyi (A59) became a monk after retiring from PWD. Cast aside by higher authorities for designing the Mausoleum for Daw Khin Kyi. He is now GBNF.
Uzin Bo Gyi
U Han Nyo (Met60) became monk in the USA. Resided in monasteries in New York, California & Mexico.
Saya Beatson (Physics, Boy Scout Master, SPHS) became a monk. Myo Nyunt (Harry Kyaw), Atom Hla and other Paulians offered Soon to Sayadaw during his trips to Yangon. He is the lone remaining Saya from our SPHS days.
Uzin Beatson
Younger brother of Dr. Saw Tin (Maths, GBNF) became a monk. He was in California for a Sima Consecration (သိမ်သမုတ်ပွဲ)
Per KMZ, a young alumnus became Seattle Sayadaw. Met the Sayadaw when he was showing his mentor (from Myanmar) in the SF Bay Area.
After retirement as Pro-Rector, Saya Dr. Lwin Aung (A59) spent several vasa as a monk. He returned to Lay Order due to medical concerns.
In the lower classes, he was in Section (C). I was in Section (D).
Stood 13th in the whole of Burma in the Matric exam of 1963.
Won Collegiate Scholarship. Only 40 of the 100 scholarship awards were given to students from private schools.
SPHS had five in the Top Five, seven in the Top Ten, and ten in the top Twenty. Khin Maung U (1st), Min Oo (2nd), Myo San (Freddie, 3rd), Nyunt Wai (Victor, 4th), Thein Wai (5th), Hla Min (7th), Aung Kyaw Zaw (Johnny, 9th), Maung Maung Kyi (11th), Aung Thu Yein (Brownie, 13th), Khin Maung Zaw (Frank, 17th).
Has a soft heart.
Before the Matric exam, he read several subjects to Nyunt Wai (Victor), who was sick & could not study. Brownie could take credit for Victor’s success. Victor stood 4th in Burma & became medical professor in IM & Malaysia.
Dr. Nyunt Wai wrote :
Being my best friend since standard IV, I could write volumes about him. For now only two points: (1) my friend was called “ANyo”(Brownie) because he had much darker complexion compared with his elder brother (very fair complexion); this contrast repeated in the case of his two sons; (2) the brown brothers passed away years ahead of their fairer counterparts.
University Days
We attended the last ever I.Sc.(A) at Leik Khone in 1963. We took the Science Option.
After a long closure citing Security Concerns following the July 7th Anniversary, a new Education System was established in November 1964.
Admitted to the first ever 2nd BE at the Gyogone Campus.
Chose Electrical Engineering as Major & EC (Electrical Communications) as Option.
EE69
Played Soccer and Tennis
ATY 3
Learned to smoke — trying to fend off mosquitoes in the RIT rest rooms.
Learned social drinking from his classmates (e.g “Robert” Win Boh) after the last paper of the RIT final exam.
After Graduation
One of 13 EC Graduates
Had a successful career at MOC/Schlumberger, & several foreign assignments.
Became a heavy smoker & drinker. Felt lonely after the loss of spouse & eldest son.
Had minor & not-so-minor health problems.
Quit drinking & smoking for some time, but he still felt the urge.
Last Meeting (in March 2012)
I visited Yangon to take part in preparations for SPZP-2012 (scheduled for December).
Zaw Lai came to see me. We decided to surprise Brownie. He trusted people. He did not lock his house. He closed the gate & boarded Zaw Lai’s car.
Zaw Lai coaxed him to take a couple of drinks.
That dinner at Zaw Lai’s apartment would be remembered as Brownie’s farewell.
Brownie did not show up at the 69er breakfast gathering at Royal Rose. The gathering was cut short when we learned that Brownie was in ICU and that the 69er HCF organizers would go to see him.
Kyaw Zin took Win Lwin, Khin Maung Bo & me to the ICU. Brownie’s son, who is a medical doctor, said that Brownie was not ready for another operation. We left with samvegha that he could very well be No 61 (on Aung Min’s GBNF list). Win Lwin told me to meditate and also “do something for yourself”.
I spent several days at the Kaba Aye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung as a monk. Sayadaw U Wara (ChE70) was my preceptor.
During that period, Brownie remained unconsciousness and he finally succumbed.
My 69er friends notified Brownie’s demise to my siblings, but requested not to notify me at the monastery. They did not want to disrupt my meditation practice.
May Brownie be able to share my merits.
Ah Hmya, ah hmya, ah hmya.
Updates
Samvegha
Three Scholarship winners from SPHS63 — Brownie, Freddie & Maung Maung Kyi — are GBNF
Five EC69ers — Kyaw Soe, Brownie, Chit Tin, Oo Kyaw Hla & Sai Aik Yee — are GBNF
128 69ers (over 40% of the Class) are GBNF. The GBNF list is maintained by Aung Min (M69) & team
Several RIT EE Sayas — U Kyaw Tun, U Sein Hlaing, U Tin Swe, U Sein Win, U Thein Lwin, Dr. San Tint, U Soe Min, U Chin Way & U Nyi Nyi — are GBNF. For SPZP-2010, I wrote “A Sad & Short Clip : EE Sayas”. Two sayas — U Thein Lwin & U Nyi Nyi — have passed away since the article was published.
Fifth month in the old Roman Calendar; Had 30 days. The month was given an extra day and renamed in honor of Julius Caesar.
Seventh month in the Gregorian Calendar; Has 31 days
My father’s birthday
My beloved fatherMy parents
Born on 1st July
Passed away in his 80s
See posts : “Phay Phay” & “Let Oo Saya”
Men on the Moon
Book
Apollo 11 Mission
Eagle (Lunar Module) landed in Tranquility Bay on the Moon on July 20, 1969
Neil Armstrong (Mission Commander) was the first to land on the moon
Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin (Lunar Module Pilot) was the second to land on the moon
Michael Collins (Command Module Pilot) circled the Moon and waited for his crew mates to return from the Moon
I wrote a poem “Men on the Moon”. A copy was sent by Mr. Hall (Information Officer, USIA) to NASA. The poem was published in the Guardian.
Poem
US Independence
4th of July
Martyrs’ Day
July 19, 1947
Bogyoke Aung San, six ministers, a Secretary and a bodyguard were assassinated
Translation of InvictusAung San
Nine Arzanis were gunned down on July 19, 1947.
Eight perished that day.
Sao San Htun passed away at the hospital a day later.
Arzanis
Bogyoke Aung San — passed away at the tender age of 32 Children : U Aung San Oo, Aung San Lin (GBNF), Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Thakin Mya — Considered as Deputy Prime Minister
Deedoke U Ba Cho — Grand children : Dr. Khin Hla Cho, Daw Khin Myint Cho
Mahn Ba Khaing — Daughter : Daw Myint Myint Khaing
Mong Pawn Sawbwa Sao San Htun — passed away in the hospital on July 20, 1947; Son : Sao Hso Holm
U Ba Win — Bogyoke’s elder brother; Son : Dr. Sein Win
U Razak — Sons : U Tin Myint, U Hla Kyi
ICS U Ohn Maung — Sons: U Tin Maung Thein, Francis, Dr, Min Min
Yebaw Maung Htwe
There are books (e.g. “Who killed Aung San?” and “Eliminate the Elite” by Kin Oung) and documentaries (e.g. “Who really killed Aung San?” by BBC program) about the fateful event.
Dark days in July 1962
According to the newspapers, 17 died on July 7, 1962.
Ko Aung Khin was stuck by a stray bullet as he was returning from RUBC to his home in Windermere Road. He was listed as the 17th victim.
The celebration of the 7th July in 1963 ended with the closure of Universities with the exception of the Faculties of Medical & Engineering.
The revered Student Union was demolished on July 8, 1962.
HlaMin 