HlaMin

Tag: Talk

  • Talk — Dhammapada

    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

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    • 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)

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    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)
    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is dhammapada-2.jpg

    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
  • Talk — Ah May

    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

  • Talk — Words

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    Hla Min

    Video Broadcast on February 1, 2021

    • Definitions and Usage of words may change with time.
    • Computer
      Early days : One who computes
      e.g. the six females who worked on ENIAC
      Later : Machine which can process data / information …
    • Compiler
      Early days : One who compiles
      e.g. historical records
      Later : Software to translate a programming language into machine language
    • Bit
      Early days : small piece
      e.g. drill bit
      Later : Binary digit
    • Confusion in the 1970s
      The book “Anatomy of a Compiler” was sent to the Institute of Medicine (instead of UCC or RU Library).
      The book “Compiler Construction of Digital Computers” was sent to the Public Works Department (instead of UCC or RU Library)
    • March 27, 1945
      Early days : Taw Hlan Yay Nay (Resistance Day)
      to honor all those who fought for Independence
      Later : Tatmadaw Nay (Armed Forces Day)
    • Taung Thu Le Tha Mar Nay (Peasant’s Day)
      Early days : January 1
      Later : March 2
    • Lost in Translation
      Physician was translated as “Yupa Beda Pyinnya Shin” (Physicist)

  • Talk — PSA Tour

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    Hla Min

    Video Broadcast on January 7, 2020

    PSA Tour 2020

    January 5 – 11, 2020

    • Traveled as a guest and volunteer mentor with members of the Myanmar Professional Speakers Association (PSA).
    • Got to know professionals with different expertise.
    • The members held “Sar Pay Haw Pyaw Pwe” (SPHPP) at selected cities from January 5 to January 11, 2020.
    • (Optional) Some members had a day of rest at Inlay.
      Two PSA members conducted a Training Seminar for the employees of the Inlay hotel.

    January 5, 2020

    • Left Yangon by Chartered Bus for Nay Pyi Taw
    • SPHPP at Lei Way

    January 6, 2020

    • SPHPP at MICC-2 at Nay Pyi Taw
    • Left for Mandalay
    • Met Prof. Dr. Khin Maung Maung (Chair, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Mississippi, RASU Class of 73) who was giving lectures at Mandalay University.

    January 7, 2020

    • SPHHP at Mandalay University
    • Left for Pyin Oo Lwin
    • SPHHP at Pyin Oo Lwin Town Hall
      Sponsor : Point Sunflower Group Pyinnya Dana

    January 8, 2020

    • SPHPP at University of Technology, Yatanarpon Cyber City
    • Left for Shwe Bo
    • SPHPP at Wet Let

    January 9, 2020

    • SPHPP at Shwe Bo University
    • Left for Meiktila
    • SPHHP at Meiktila Business Group

    January 10, 2020

    • SPHPP at Meiktila University
    • Left for Taunggyi

    January 11, 2020

    • SHPP at Southern Shan States Chamber of Commerce (SSSCCI) in Taunggyi
    • (Optional) Left for Inlay
  • Talk — Sleep

    Talk — Sleep

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    Video Broadcast on January 12, 2021

    Hla Min
    • Most people spend one third of their lives sleeping.
    • Some try to sleep 8 hours a day because they are told that it is necessary to refresh the body and the mind.
    • Some say that the number of hours of sleep vary with age.
      Children need to sleep longer.
      Adults may sleep less.
    • My late uncle slept about four hours a night, but he took a power nap.
      He lived up to his 80’s.
    • A friend of mine sleeps four hours a night.
      He is active at work, church, Toastmasters and play competitive ice hockey.
    • Some say that the quality of sleep is more important than the quantity of sleep.
    • Too much sleep might make a person sluggish.
    • Some develop a rhythm for sleeping.
      They go to bed at the same time every day, and get up at the same time every morning.
    • Those who work on different shifts might encounter sleep problems.
    • During youth , some may not feel drastic effect of 24-hour, 36-hour or more duty.
      The Navy SEALs have to spend sleepless nights during their training / certification.
    • Before you sleep, turn off your smart phone and place the alarm clock away from the bed.
    • Some can sleep easily — like a log.
      They can sleep on trains, planes, and beaches.
    • Some find it hard to fall asleep. (Insomnia).
      Counting sheep or reading books do not help them fall asleep.
    • Some may have breathing problems during Sleep. (Apnea)
      They may be prescribed breathing apparatus.
    • Some have dreams, but they cannot recall them.
    • Some may have nightmares, and wake up.
    • A few perform Sleep Walk. (Somnambulism)
    • There are Sleep Study Projects.
      Monitor brain activities and physiological factors

    Dr. Nyunt Wai (SPHS63) wrote :

    “Ma Eik Ma Nay Ah Thet Shay”

    Editor’s Notes

    Pauk Kyaing was advised to follow :

    • “Thwar Bar Myar Khayee Yauk”,
    • “May Bar Myar Sagar Ya” and
    • “Ma Eik Ma Nay Ah Thet Shay”.

    Skipping sleep for one night allowed Pauk Kyaing to avert a death threat and become a King.

  • Talk — Sati

    Talk — Sati

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    Hla Min

    Video Broadcast on January 28, 2021

    Meanings

    • Awareness
    • Factor for gaining Enlightenment
    • (Formal) Tha Di Pa Than : Mindfulness
    • (Casual) Memory

    Types of Meditation

    The Scriptures describe 40 kinds of Meditation.

    The methods generally fall into

    • Samatha (Concentration Meditation)
    • Vipassana (Insight Meditation)

    Samatha

    In Samatha, one chooses a “Meditation Object”. In the early days, some practitioners chose a white or colored disk (Kasina) as a Meditation Object. By fixing one’s eyes and thoughts on the Meditation Object, one can develop Concentration.

    Some practitioners chose “Ana Pana” (Out-breath and In-breath). For example, one can note the direction, direction and hardness/softness of the breath.

    One may attain one level of more Jhana (Absorption).

    Vipassana

    Vipassana means

    • various ways of seeing
    • seeing things as they truly are.

    A practitioner may choose a Primary Object for the meditation session. Depending on the tradition of the Mediation Master, the Primary Object can be a nostril, nge dait (part of the head), abdomen, or the body (e.g. touching the mat or floor).

    Then, one practices one of the “Four Foundations of Mindfulness” by being aware of the Kaya (Physicality), Vedana (Feelings), Citta (Mind) and Dhamma (General artifacts for meditation).

    One may practice Meditation using one of four postures.

    One may be able to experience

    • Nama and Rupa
    • Anicca, Dukkha, Anatta
    • Stages of development ultimately leading to Liberation.

    In the West, some people try Meditation

    • to experience relaxation and tranquility
    • as an alternative medical treatment (allowed by some Health Insurance).

    Miscellaneous

    • Covered in books and podcasts
    • Slips, falls and accidents may be caused by “slight loss of attention”
  • Talk — Mogok Sayadaw

    Talk — Mogok Sayadaw

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    Video Broadcast on January 13, 2021

    U Hla Min

    Mogok Sayadaw U Vimala (1899 – 1962)

    • Renowned Vipassana meditation master
    • 500 (or more) audio tapes of Sayadaw’s recordings have been transcribed into books (some e-books), and CDs
      Available at the Mogok Vipassana Meditation Centers
    • Featured in “Yahanda Hnit Poke Ko Htoo Myar” book by Dhammacariya U Htay Hlaing

    First and Last Visit to Rangoon

    • Arrived Rangoon on the morning of July 6, 1962 (Friday)
    • A dhamma talk was scheduled at Tekkatho Dhammayone (RU Dhamma Hall) that evening
    • Citing security reasons, the venue had to be changed to
      U Than Daing’s residence on 35 Lancaster Road (now Bo Ye Nyunt Lann)
    • Sayadaw delivered the talk “The Four Noble Truths”
    • Translation of the talk by U Sway Tin
    • Devotees asked Sayadaw if he would come back the following year.
    • Sayadaw said, “This Khanda will provide an answer”.
    • Sayadaw passed away three months later.

    Translations of Mogok Sayadaw’s Works

    HOW TO DIE WITH A SMILE
    By U Sway Tin

    THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
    delivered by THE MOGOK SAYADAW on July 6, 1962
    Recorded/translated by U Sway Tin
    Publisher: Society for the Propagation of Vipassana (Mogok Sayadaw’s way)

  • Talk — Prize And Award

    Talk — Prize And Award

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    Video Broadcast on January 16, 2021

    U Hla Min

    Nobel Prize

    • Physics
    • Chemistry
    • Medicine
    • Literature
    • Peace

    Awards (considered equivalent to Nobel Prize)

    • “Nobel Prize in” Economics
    • ACM Turing Award (in Computing)
    • Field Medal (in Mathematics)

    Prizes at School

    • Highest score in a test or examination
    • Prize for reciting poems (e.g. Mingalar Kabyar)
    • Prize for good handwriting
    • Prize for good behavior
    • Prize for sports events
    • Collegiate Scholarship (for top students in Matriculation examination)

    Rangoon University Boat Club (RUBC)

    • In the early days, RUBC awarded cups to the winning teams.
    • The President of the Union of Burma donated the “President’s Challenge Cup for Inter-Club Eights.”
      In the inaugural competition, RUBC beat the combined team of Calcutta Lake Club and Calcutta University Rowing Club.
    • The Prime Minister of the Union of Burma donated the “Prime Minister’s Challenge Cup for Inter-Club Fours.”
    • The Challenge Cups are listed in the commemorative issue for the 90th Anniversary for the founding of RUBC.
    • Sir Arthur Eggar donated a Pewter Cup for the Senior Novices.
      The Senior Novice Winners receive a brooch.
    • Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded in the latter days.
      For obvious reasons, the medals are plated.
      P. Orr Tun Yin was a primary supplier of the cups and medals.
      U Hla Din and sons became the secondary source.

    Soccer

    • For World Cup, there was Jules Rimet Trophy.
    • For soccer in Burma, there was “Dunlop Shield (Daing)”

    Number of Medals

    • In some competitions, the two losing semi-finalists are awarded Joint Third prize.
      So, the number of bronze medals can be higher than the number of gold medals.
    • Due to the introduction of tie-breakers in most sports, we rarely have joint champions.
      In a few instances (e.g. the clock cannot discriminate the two winners), two gold medals were awarded to the joint champions.

    Miscellaneous

    • Fellowship
    • Lifetime Achievement Awards
    • National Awards
    • Literary Awards
  • Encyclopedia

    Encyclopedia

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    Text Update on January 2, 2021

    U Hla Min

    Early Encyclopedias

    “Chamber’s Cyclopaedia” was one of the earliest encyclopedias. It covered 40+ subjects.

    In our younger days, we had “Pear’s Soap” and “Pear’s Cyclopaedia”. The company was probably building its brand name by supporting the publication of an encyclopedia.

    Encyclopedia Britannica

    My uncle had a set of “Encyclopedia Britannica”. It covers many topics written by SME (Subject Matter Experts). Yearly supplements were published. The final supplement came out a couple of years ago. There will no longer be printed editions. There will only be on-line subscription.

    Wikipedia

    • Wikipedia is a collection of encyclopedias in multiple languages.
    • The English edition of the Wikipedia is the largest.
    • The accuracy of the Wikipedia is comparable to that of the “Encyclopedia” thanks to the countless volunteer contributors and editors.
    • I was a volunteer to correct discrepancies (mostly entries on Burmese/Myanmar). For example, a young author wrote that St. Paul’s High School was the first among the De La Salle Schools in Burma. He was unaware that St. Patrick’s High School in Mawlamyaing was the first (and was established a few months earlier than St. Paul’s).

    No Absolute Perfection

    There is a slight chance that there are errors in an encyclopedia (or an equivalent “book of knowledge”). One author was unaware that Rajiv Gandhi was the elder son of Indira Gandhi. He was a pilot and entered politics only when his younger brother Sanjay Gandhi (touted as Indira’s confidante and successor) died in a plane crash.

    Collaboration

    The advent of Internet and the rise of “Collaborative Work” have lowered the time and cost to maintain encyclopedias.

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is img_20181003_0001.jpg

    A few years back, I received a call to submit entries to “Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife”. I emailed to the editors that I was willing to help them on the Burmese section. They sent me four samples and asked me to send back one short article (not exceeding 500 words and with two or more references) on a chosen Head Word (e.g. Burmese American Festivals). They reviewed my article and accepted me. The remuneration was $10. I replied that I would like to have a copy of the 2-volume encyclopedia. A deal was struck. They would give me the encyclopedia if I submit at least 8 articles. Nine articles were accepted. Two articles were merged with the work of other authors. One author was a Burmese College Professor. Another was probably a graduate student, who inserted the wrong date for Martyr’s Day. The Editors promised to correct his error in another edition. I received a 3-volume encyclopedia (initially projected to be 2-volume) and an additional $10.

    Google Books

    • Some are not aware of “Google Books”.
    • If one goes to “Google Books” and search for my name, one can find the nine articles.

    Burmese Encyclopedia

    In my younger days, my parents bought me “Myanmar Swel Sone Kyan” (Burmese Encyclopedia).

    I heard that the “Myanmar Swel Sone Kyan” is under re-development with the help of SME (Subject Matter Experts).

  • 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
    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is metta-sutta-1.jpg
    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)
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    Buddhist Dictionary