Tag: HlaMin

Talk — Weightlifting
by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

Video Broadcast on December 25, 2020
- Adjacent to the RU Student Union Building was the RU Gymnasium.
  The gymnasium was donated by Chan Chor Khine (RU Council Member).
  He is the second son of philanthropists Chan Mah Phee and Daw Aye Mya.
- There were competitions for Weight Lifting and Body Building at the local and national levels.
- There were contests for Maung Bama and Mai Bama (at the national level)
- At RU, there were contests for Mr. University and Miss University.
U Myo Nyunt
- Champion Weight Lifter
  Son of Kaya Bala Pioneer
- He was interviewed for “University Sports” program by MERB team for the Diamond Jubilee of Rangoon University.
  Saya Nyein (Soccer Coach) was the organizer and narrator of the program.
RIT

Saya Dr. Kyaw Sein (M65) headed and managed the RIT Weightlifting and Body Building team. RIT won trophies in the Inter-Institute Tournament.

Ko Jimmy Kyin (T69), Ko Khin Win (EP69), Ko Than Htike (70), Ko Thein Aung (Met72) … are some well-known members.

Ko Thein Aung won “Set Hmu Maung” (Mr. RIT) in 1968. He has handed over his Sa Lwe to Ko Wynn Htain Oo (M72).

Categories

In the early Weightlifting competitions, there were three categories:
- [Military] Press
- Snatch
- Clean and Jerk
In the later competitions, there are only two categories:
- Snatch
- Clean and Jerk
There is also a medal for the best Total.

Olympics and World Championship

“Thiri Pyan Chi” U Zaw Weik competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics as a member of the British India team. After Burma’s Independence, he founded the Burma Olympic Club.

U Tun Maung (then Sergeant) won medals at two World Championships.

In the 1972 Munich Olympics, U Aung Gyi set an Olympic record in the Flyweight division. He also competed in the World Championship.

Kayabala

“Kayabala” (Physical Prowess) is one of the five Bala (strength). It is complementary to “Nyanabala” (Mental), “Bawgabala” (Wealth), “Meiktabala” (Friendship), and “Carittabala” (Moral).

Kayabala U Shein was manager and mentor of U Zaw Weik.

Kayabala U Than Tun and others continued to help with weightlifters and body builders.

Maung Bama

The early Maung Bama (Mr. Burma) include
- Navy Commander Maung Maung
  Daughter : Khin Aye Kyu (Rosie, RIT English)
  Mentee : Thein Aung (Met72, Mr. RIT, Saya)
- U Ba Kun
  Actor in “Wunna Kyaw Htin U Min Din”
- U Sein Maung
  Actor in “Ingulimala”
- U Tint Naing (Runner up to U Ba Kun)
  Actor in “Tarzan”
Saya U Thein Aung wrote :

I deeply admire your general knowledge on so many topics!

You take us down memory lane with many events that happened in the history of our country. One more addition, late Commander Maung Maung from Burma Navy who won the first Mr. Burma in 1947. Father of Daw Khin Aye Kyu@ Rosie Maung (RIT English Dept.) My first weightlifting and bodybuilding trainer!

Adam Khan (EP76) wrote :

Mr Burma (Runner-up to U Ba Kun ) was Mr Tint Naing.
All three Mr Burma’s became film stars.
U Ba Kun was famous Wunna Kyaw Htin U Min Din.
U Sein Maung in Ingulimala.
U Tint Naing (if I remember correctly) Tarzan .
August 16, 2025
69ers — Status
by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

Golden Jubilee

Some 69ers are fortunate to have celebrated their GJ (Golden Jubilee).

Sampling :
- Saw Yu Tint (Alice, T69) : 56th Anniversary : September 2021
- Yi Yi Khaing (Vilma, ChE69)
- Kyaw Zin (EP69)
40th to 49th Anniversary

Several 69ers celebrated 40+ years of bliss in 2021.

Sampling :
- Tun Aung Gyaw (EC69) : 49th Anniversary : February
- Aung Myint (M69) : 49th Anniversary : May
- Aung Min (M69) : 48th Anniversary : February
- Hla Min (EC69) : 48th Anniversary : June
- Tin Aung Win (M69) : 44th Anniversary : December
Some 69ers and/or Spouses are GBNF

Sad to note that some 69ers and their spouses are GBNF.

Sampling :
- Yi Pin (M69) & spouse
- Thein Swe (EP69) & spouse
- Tin Shwe (C69) & spouse
- Nan Su Su (T69) & spouse
Some lost their spouses.

Sampling :
- Ivan Lee (Khin Maung Oo, M69)
- Sa Maung Maung (EP69)
- Lyo Kyin Sein (T69)
Grand parents and Great Grand parents
- Zau Lai (EP69) is a proud Great Grand Father
- Several are Grand parents
  e.g. Lin Lin Aung has 8 grand children
Still Single

A few are eligible bachelors.

Sampling :
- Myint Maung (EP69)
- Nyi Hla Nge (C69)
Sayadaws

Some became Sayadaws after retirement

Sampling :
- Ashin Ukkamsa / Okkantha
  Uzin Aung Chaw (C69)
- Ashin Pannagavesaka
  Uzin Bobby Myo Tun (A69)
August 16, 2025
Rimon Than, Dr.
by Hla Min

Updated : Nov 2025

Rimon
- Elder son of U Maung Maung Kyi (SPHS63, Alumnus of Dresden University, GBNF) and Daw Khin May Than (ChE72).
- Sad to lose an accomplished “Rescue Team Leader”.
Sad Event

It occurred on February 15, 2013.

Squadron Leader Dr. Rimon Than (Ko Yi Htet), elder son of U Maung Maung Kyi (SPHS 63, RUBC) and Daw Khin May Than (ChE 72) from Wales, passed away during a mountaineering training in Scotland due to an avalanche. He is a squadron leader in Royal Air Force (RAF) and also a doctor and an experienced mountain climber.

See BBC news at

<http://www.bbc.co.uk/…/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-214690…>.

Maung Maung Kyi and Khin May Than were in Yangon at the time. They had to fly back to Wales to attend the funeral service with military honors.

Maung Maung Kyi was my classmate at St. Paul’s High School and I.Sc.(A). We rowed together at RUBC. He studied Chemical Engineering (Pulp & Paper) at Dresden University, Germany. He was a best man at our wedding.

Visit to Wales

In 2017, we visited UK.

My cousin nephew Dr. Khin Tun (Peter) drove us to Wales to visit Maung Maung Kyi and Khin May Than at their new home Ogmore-by-the-sea.

Maung Maung Kyi

Updates
- Dr. “Peter” Khin Tun (MRCP, Former Associate Dean of Oxford University) was a victim of Covid-19 and the lax Guidelines of NIH. He passed away on April 13, 2020. The news and TV coverage about the sad story led to reevaluation of procedures and support for NIH doctors and staff combating Covid.
- Maung Maung Kyi passed away peacefully in November 2024. His younger sisters — Dr. Kyi Kyi Hla, Daw Khin Thitsar and Dr. Khin Sabai — performed Soon Kwyay Dana for the 1st Anniversary of Maung Maung Kyi’s demise.
Soon Kyway

Memories

Khin Sabai, Khin May Than & Mg Mg Kyi

Top Matriculates from SPHS 1963

SPHS Std VIII (A)

Mg Mg Kyi 1

Mg Mg Kyi 2
August 16, 2025
Symbol — X
by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025
- 24th letter of the English Alphabet.
- Roman Numeral with the value Ten.
- Unknown. e.g. X-ray
- Check Mark
- In Red written by a teacher means “Incorrect” or “Wrong”
- X and O are symbols used in Tic-Tac-Toe.
- Planet X could mean the Tenth Planet or Unknown Planet
- XL — Extra Large
- XML — eXtensible Markup Language
- XP — eXtreme Programming; Windows Operating System
- XS — Extra Small
- XSL — eXtensible Style Language
- XSLT — XSL Transform
- XXL — Extra Extra Large
- XXS – Extra Extra Small
U Maung Maung wrote :
Madam X

U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) wrote :
There was a joke from one comedian when the movie ‘Malcolm X’ came out. [Malcolm X was an American Muslim minister famous in the 1950s and 1960s and was assassinated Feb 21, 1965.] The joke was that he, the comedian, has been away from the movies for quite some time, he did not know and therefore missed the Malcolm I through IX.
August 15, 2025
Age

by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

Dr. San Hla Aung visiting U Ba Than

Minimum age requirement

There was a minimum age requirement for admission to the University of Rangoon.
Saya Dr. Hla Aung (C58) had to wait one year to enter Rangoon University because he was under age.

No minimum age requirement

At some universities, young talented students (12 – 16 years young) graduate.
Robert Floyd (ACM Turing Award winner) received his BA (at age 16) and BS from the University of Chicago. He retired as Chairman of Computer Science Department at Stanford University.

Transfer students

Some who transferred to St. Paul’s High School had to re-do some classes. They may become the senior members of their class.
Some complete the High School Curriculum at a Chinese School, but cannot afford to attend a university overseas (e.g. in China). They join the regular schools and sit Government exams. They may become senior members of their class.

Time off

A few decide to work for a couple of years after Matriculation usually as a teacher. When they later join the University, they may become the senior members of their class.
Saya Dr. Tin Win (M62) was the youngest in his class. A classmate, who joined Rangoon University after serving as a high school teacher, was 7 years older than him.

Kyaung Pyaw

There were some “Kyaung Pyaws”. They enjoy their university life so much that they try to stay as long as possible. Some repeat every class.
When Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC) returned from the USA after completing his BS and MS, he had to teach one of his former classmates.

Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint wrote :

During the good times of having factions of students for student “politics”, “Tat Oo” and “Ye Gaung“, some students either defer or deliberately fail exams so that they could stay in as university students.
Some take BL (Bachelor of Law) and Diploma classes so that they can continue as EC (Executive Committee) members in the student associations.

August 15, 2025
Birthday

by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

Twins

Most twins share the same birthday (Day, Month, Year).
An exception occurs when one twin is born before midnight and the other is born after.
Another exception occurs when one twin is born on New Year’s Eve and the other is born on New Year.

February 29 born

Do they celebrate only in Leap Years?
Do they celebrate every year on February 28 or March 1st?

Same Month

If there are more than 13 people, then at least two must share the Month in their birthdays.
It follows the Pigeon Hole Principle.

Same Month and Day

If there are more than 30 people, then there is a high likelihood that at least two share the Day and the Month in their birthdays.
It follows from Probability and Statistics.

Distribution

In a group, the birthdays are not equally distributed. For instance, my two sisters and I are August born. There are seven siblings.

Freebie

Some restaurants do not charge the Birthday Person (Boy, Girl) if there are three more persons in the group. They will ask and verify the ID.

Happy Birthday

“Happy Birthday” song is one of the most played songs. In the early days, the song received a lot of royalties. It is now in the free public domain.

Different Calendars

Some celebrate their birthday twice : using the Gregorian Calendar and the Myanmar luni-solar Calendar.

Birthday Person paying respect to Elder Brother

August 15, 2025
Notes (8)
by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

February
- According to “Ripley’s Believe it or not“, a graveyard inscription had February 30th.
- Julius Caesar’s followers took a day from February to make July (named in his honor) have 31 days instead of 30.
- Augustus Caesar’s followers took a day from February to make August (named in his honor) to have 31 days instead of 30.
- February became the shortest month of the calendar year with 28 days.
  It was given back an extra day on a leap year.
- The earth takes about 365.2422 days to revolve round the sun, so the discrepancy between a solar year and the calendar year became 0.9688 day every four years (or 97 days in 4 centuries).
  The first correction was to designate a year divisible by 4 as a Leap Year.
- In Gregorian calendar, a leap year is defined as a non-century year that is divisible by 4, and a century year that is divisible by 400.
  This is more accurate than the first correction
Latin terms for student
- Alumnus means “male student”
- Almuna means “female student”
- Alumni means “male students”
- Alumnae means “female students”.
- In modern usage, the term “alumni” applies to all students.
- We sometimes use alum as a short form for alumni.
Synonym
- Synonyms are words which have almost the same meaning for the given context.
- Since some words have multiple meanings, one must specify the meaning associated with a synonym.
- For example, Dictionary, Thesaurus, Lexicon and Vocabulary are synonyms.
  Their usage depends on the context.
  In general, Lexicon is a body of knowledge (or dictionary) of Latin and Greek.
  At one time, Lexicon is a card game where players create words and score points. It was superseded by Scrabble.
Antonym
- Antonyms are words which have almost the opposite meaning for the given context.
- Since some words have multiple meanings, one must specify the meaning associated with an antonym.
- For example, Love and Hate are antonyms.
- In Pali, the antonyms of Lobha (Greed), Dosa (Anger or Hatred) and Moha (Ignorance of Delusion) are Alobha (Non-greed), Adosa (Non-hatred) and Amoha (Non-ignorance or Wisdom).
Homonym
- Homonyms are words which sound the same.
- Examples
  rain, rein, reign
  air, heir
  throne, thrown
- A puzzle based on homonyms :
  “What is the difference between the Prince of Wales and a cricket ball?”
  The Prince of Wales is HEIR to the THRONE.
  A cricket ball is THROWN to the AIR.
August 15, 2025
Talk — Dhammapada
by Hla Min

Updated: May 2025

Video Broadcast on January 3, 2021

Introduction
- Dhammapada is a collection of Pali verses (that refer to Buddha’s teachings).
- It has been translated by several Pal Scholars.
- Some Dhammapada books also cover short stories related to the verses.
Narada Thera’s Dhammapada
- The Dhammapada
- Subtitle: Pali text & translation with stories & notes
- Author : Narada Thera
- Editions: 1st edition (1963), 4th Edition (1993)
Contents
- The Pali alphabet
- Preface
Chapters
- The Twin Verses
- Heedfulness
- Mind
- Flowers
- Fools
- The Wise
- The Worthy
- Thousands
- Evil
- The Rod or Punishment
- Old Age
- The Self
- The World
- The Buddha
- Happiness
- Affection
- Anger
- Impurities or Taints
- The Just or Righteous
- The Way or the Path
- Miscellaneous
- Woeful State
- The Elephant
- Craving
- The Bhikkhu or the Mendicant
- The Brahmana
Dhammapada (by Venerable Buddharakhitta)

The following verses are from the book by Venerable Buddharakkhita.

Verse 182

Hard it is to be born a man;
hard is the life of mortals.
Hard is it to gain the opportunity
of hearing the Sublime Truth,
and hard to encounter
is the arising of the Buddhas.

Verse 183

To avoid all evil,
to cultivate good,
and to cleanse one’s mind —
this is the teaching of the Buddhas.

Verse 184

Enduring patience
is the highest austerity.
“Nibbana is supreme,” says the Buddhas.
He is not a true monk
who harms another,
nor a true renunciate
who oppresses others.

Dhammapada (in Myanmar and English)
- Sayadaw U Thittila‘s Translation (in Myanmar / Burmese)
- Venerable Buddharakkhita‘s Translation (in English)
Frequently Quoted Verse
- The following Dhammapada verse is frequently quoted by Sayadaws and writers.
“Not to do any evil, to cultivate good, to purify one’s mind, – this is the Teaching of the Buddhas.”
- It seems simple (at the basic level), but it also has a deeper meaning (at the metaphysical level).
- The explanations may refer to Abhidhamma to expound what Kusala (wholesome deeds) and Akusula (unwholesome deeds) are.
- References may also be made to the three Seikhas (Practices) : Sila (Morality), Sammadhi (Concentration), and Panna (wisdom).
- Bhavana practices such as Samatha (Tranquility Meditation) and Vipassana (Insight Meditation) are needed to calm and purify the mind.
U Lokanatha – Italian Buddhist Monk (1897-1966)

U Lokanatha
- Mr. Salvitore was a Chemical Analyst in the USA.
- He received a book from his supervisor as a Christmas present.
- The book had a chapter on Dhammapada.
  After reading the verses, a deep impulse (which resonated with his scientific inquiring mind) led him to pursue Buddhism and become a Buddhist monk.
- He was from a devout Catholic family.
  His elder brother was a Priest.
- Sayadaw U Lokanatha spent considerable time at the Bawdigone monastery (donated by my paternal grand mother) on Windermere Road, Rangoon, Burma.
- Sayadaw practiced Dhutanga.
- Sayadaw also preached and had Dhamma Dhuta missions to India and Ceylon.
  His Dhamma Duta work can be found in the articles in Wikipedia and some Buddhist web sites.
- His booklet, “Why I became a Buddhist“, had considerable influence on the leader of the Untouchables in India.
Further Reading
- The Teaching of All Buddhas
  by Dr. Khin Maung U
August 14, 2025
Talk — Ah May
by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

Video Broadcast on January 27, 2021
- Myanmar
  Ah May, Mi Gin, Mway Mi Gin, Ah Mi, Mae Daw
  Usage :
  Mae Daw Maya
  Ah Mi Myay
  Ah Mi Tekkatho
- English
  Mother, Mom, Mum, Mummy, Mama
  Usage :
  Mother Tongue
  Mother Earth
  Motherland
- Pali
  Mata
  Usage :
  Mata Pitu Gu Naaw Anandaaw
- Latin
  Mater
  Usage :
  Alma mater
Mother
- Biological Mother
  Gives birth
- Caring Mother
  Takes care
- Adoptive Mother
  Adopt a child from a relative or others (e.g. via an Adoption Agency)
- Surrogate Mother
  Conceives a child for someone who cannot give birth naturally (e.g. due to medical conditions)
- Classification schemes vary with place, culture and time …
Mother’s Day
- Myanmar
  Full Moon Day of Pyatho
- USA and several countries
  Second Sunday of May
- Others
  Dates vary with countries
Media
- Songs
  e.g. M-O-T-H-E-R
- Books
- Movies
Thanks to three Mothers
- My Mother
  who raised seven children
My mother & my beloved wife
- My beloved wife
  who raised two sons
- My daughter-in-law
  who takes care of my two Myees
My wife & my daughter-in-law
August 14, 2025
Holy Discourses
by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

U Hla Min

Eleven Holy Discourses of Proection

Subtitle : Maha Paritta Pali

Transliterated and Translated from the Burmese Pali Scriptures (The Sixth Buddhist Council Version) into English

by Sao Htun Hmat Win
M.A; A.M; S.R.F. (Harvard)
Director of Research and Scriptures

Publisher : Department of Religious Affairs, Yangon, Myanmar.
1991

Contents

1. The Author

2. Maha Paritta Pali
- Method of Translation
- Buddhism as Religion
- Apotropaic Buddhism
- Eleven Maha Paritta Suttas
- Textual Resource
- Historical Resources
- Paritta as Bhavana Meditation
- Recite and Work
3. Maha Paritta Pali (The Text of Great Protection)

(1) Mangala Sutta (Discourse on Auspices)

(2) Ratana-Sutta Discourse on Precious Jewels)
A Historical Sketch

(3) Metta Sutta (Discourse on Loving kindness)
A Historical Sketch

(4) Khanda Paritta Sutta (Discourse on the Protection of the Aggregates)

(5) Mora-Sutta (Discourse on the Peacock’s Prayer)
A Historical Sketch

(6) Vatta Sutta (Discourse on the Quail’s Confession)

(7) Dhajagga Sutta (Discourse on the Crest of the Banner)

(8) Atanatiya Sutta (Discourse on Atanatiya)

(9) Angulimala Sutta (The Act of Truth by Reverend Angulimala)

(10) Bojjhanga Sutta (Discourse on the Seven Factors of Enlightenment)

(11) Pubbhana Sutta (Discourse on Good Morning)

4. Maha Paritta Pali
Transliteration

5. Pabbajaniya Kammavaca
Monastic Sanction of Act of Banishment
Transliteration
August 14, 2025