Some years back, when Ko Hla Min (SPHS 64, RIT EC 70, ex-UCC) passed away, several people called my office to tender their condolences, not realizing that I was Ko Hla Min (SPHS 63, RIT EC 69, ex-UCC). Ko Hla Min (Ko Pauk Si) took us to Kaba Aye Sunlun Gu Kyaung monastery where his classmate Ko Win Paing (U Wara, RIT ChE 70), golf champion and brother of Saya U Soe Paing (ex-RIT, ex-UCC) was a "Taik Oke Sayadaw". Among the RIT graduates, not all work in the engineering profession; a few like U Wara and U Jotika (RIT Elec 73) would don the yellow robes.
Ko Hla Min later practiced meditation at various monasteries including the Taung Pu Lu (where even temporary monks take up one kind of dhu-tin). Though he was a non-smoker, non-alcoholic, and appeared to be in excellent health, he succumbed to liver problem. It was a stark reality for us. You cannot wait until zaya (old age) to learn and practice meditation.
I am lucky to be tone-kyaw and to be able to witness the propagation of sasana beyond Myanmar. The following account is a manifestation that "searching/knowing the true nature of things", which blossomed 2500+ years ago, still has universal appeal.
Buddhists believe and take refuge in the Triple Gems: Buddha, Dhamma,
and Sangha. Of the three jewels, non-Buddhists initially can relate only
to Dhamma. After some
time, once they realize the "true nature of things", they tend to also
pay respect to Buddha and Sangha.
According to Sayadaw U Jotika, who was born into a non-Buddhist family,
he put "I do not have a religion yet" in the registration forms throughout
college. After graduating
from the Rangoon Institute of Technology [or rather on the day of the
graduation ceremony which he did not attend], he decided that "there are
better engineers, and that his real desire was to practice meditation ...".
For details, read Sayadaw's books or listen to his dhamma talks live and/or
from video and audio tapes.
Sayadaw U Jotika started his International dhamma tour in April 28, 2001. I first learnt that Sayadaw was in Singapore from some ex-RIT colleagues (Ko Hla Kyi, Maung Yit, etc.) and newsgroups. I have heard much about Sayadaw, but never had the chance to meet him in person until lately. Saya Dr. Maung Maung Lwin -- founder, editor and webmaster of http://www.nibbana.com, and also the coordinator of Sayadaw U Jotika's international dhamma tour -- asked if we would like to lend a hand. California was not present in the original plan/tour, but since Sayadaw had spent 15 months in California [one of the most populous states in the US] back in 1983-84 and would gladly revisit the area, Saya Maung Maung Lwin requested Sayadaw to extend his tour.
My cousin U Tin Htoon (RIT Arch 60) [from Chino Hills,
California], who together with Saya Maung Maung Lwin [from UK] and Daw
Tin Tin Myint (Emma) [from
Singapore] had successfully launched the "Triple Gems Publications"
-- they constitute the Secretariat, gladly offered to be the contact and
area organizer of the Los Angeles leg of Sayadaw's dhamma tour.
Ko Nyunt Than [from Alameda, California], who is founder/webmaster of http://www.edhamma.com and joint secretary of Myanmar American Buddhist Association (MABA) based at Mettananda Vihara in Fremont, California, agreed to be the primary contact and area organizer of the San Francisco Bay Area leg of the tour. Ko Lynn Kyi (a) Ronald Lwee has a dhamma library of over 600 tapes and has allowed edhamma to post tapes in his collection. Ko Nyunt Than requested the resident monks of the Mettananda Vihara (Venerable Sayadaws U Dhammapiya, U Gosita and Ashin Nanika) and received permission to host Sayadaw U Jotika. Venerable Sayadaw U Gosita phoned Sayadaw U Jotika [when he was visiting New York] and formally invited him to visit the Bay Area.
I am the editor [or chief editor] of several newsletters and web sites:
Please see http://www.nibbana.com for the schedule and photos.
Sayadaw will visit Singapore again in late July on his return to Myanmar.
Please see http://www.nibbana.com for the schedule and photos.
Please contact me if necessary regarding UK leg of the tour although
the latter was not as well organised as those of the American colleagues.
A Myanmar couple from Liverpool invited the Sayadaw to Liverpool.
They don't even have the use of a local Myanmar Monastery base because
of personal reasons. That was how this tour
started. Now Sayadaw knows how well a Dhammaduta Tour
can be organised provided the devotees and well wishers are given the opportunity
to do it with encouragement and good co-operation from the Tour Officials
(not applicable this time as Sayadaw was on his own and very flexible.)
Editor's note: Sayadaw's visit transformed an informal network of sasana work volunteers into a formal closely knit team of Area Organizers. Even then, we received some late calls from Chicago and Hawaii saying that they want to host Sayadaw during this dhamma tour, and had to be refused politely. It needs time and dedication to plan, execute and follow up the activities for each segment of the dhamma tour.
Please see http://www.nibbana.com for the schedule and photos.
Through emails, I have learnt U Aung Thwin and his colleagues in the New York/New Jersey area have a vast collection of dhamma tapes and books by Myanmar Sayadaws. They will be mailing some tapes to Ko Nyunt Than for posting on http://www.edhamma.com
Please see http://www.nibbana.com for the schedule and photos.
Saya Harry [Than] Htut found out that Sayadaw would be visiting Canada during a period which he had personal commitment. Nevertheless, Saya Htut made arrangements with fellow devotees to make the Canadian leg of the tour memorable.
Please see http://www.nibbana.com for the schedule and photos.
Dr. Mehm Thein Thaung (Freddie Tun Thaung) spent several days at a retreat [at the monastery he founded] before Sayadaw's visit. He was not aware that the timetables for the Bay Area and Los Angeles legs have been switched [to cater for the visiting Sayadaw at Mettananda Vihara to hold a meditation retreat]. Freddie and his spouse cooked "ah-yone" meals at 4 am, went to the monastery at 5 am to meditate with Sayadaw U Jotika, and then offered the meals.
Thursday (June 28, 2001)
I spent the entire day taking Sayadaw U Jotika to Long Wood Gardens in Chester county, Penn. which is about an hour and a half drive from Baltimore. It is a show case botanical garden where a botanist can easily spend a life time and still won't know all the different species of plants, flowers and trees!! The water fountains spurting jets of water into the sky in all sorts of formation, patterns, are so magnificently beautiful; just beyond description. Anyway, I was happy and satisfied because Sayadaw enjoyed the trip. We packed a picnic lunch, and appropriately found a picnic area with lots of tall, shady oak trees where we offered him soon.
Thursday (July 5, 2001)
Sayadaw arrived safely and on time at 9:45 pm. After collecting his luggages, I took him to my house. We got to my house about 10:30 pm. I offered him some juice and then showed him the room.
Friday (July 6, 2001)
I am very glad to have this rare opportunity to let Sayadaw spend
one night in my house. Because of this, I again had the golden opportunity
to serve the "First Meal" in LA. We had a very interesting discussion after
his breakfast. At about 9 am, I took him to Bhrama Vihara where he will
be residing till he leaves for SF on July
11.
We had at least about 100 people attending the first Dhamma talk in English [at Rosemead monastery]. It was just nice as the room cannot accommodate more than that. I came to know Sayadaw's style of Dhamma talk as it is not limited to "ONE HOUR" like I have experienced with Sayagyi Goenka.
We started at 7:30 pm with Bhante Chao Chu acting as Master of ceremony. We had question and answer session after the talk. We finished at about 10 pm.
Sunday (July 8, 2001)
Today we had the "Su-Paung-Pu-Zaw-Pwe" at Bhrama Vihara in Azusa. We had the talk in the new Dhamma hall which is still under construction and thus we have only 4 walls and the roof. I had to arrange a decent background with a banner in Burmese script which reads "Sayadaw Jotika's Pu-Zaw-Pwe". On each side of the banner at an angle of about 40 degrees, I had (3) huge Sasana flags hanged on each side from a rope. I had a make shift altar with a golden Buddha image with very lovely flowers in vases, water and candle lights. I also had "Shwe-hti" on the sides of the altar and two Sasana flags. Sayadaw sat in front of the altar and gave the Dhamma talk. I also had to arrange the PA system, the fans and the mats for people to sit. The whole Dhamma hall (about 40'x50') was packed. Sayadaw commented that he was very impressed with the turn out as he has never seen so many Burmese people like this before in America. The maximum he had seen in America will be about "HALF" this size. Isn't that wonderful?
I am very happy and pleased that all my efforts resulted
in this manner. It is not only liaising with the monasteries, but I also
had to undertake every thing to happen this way. Of course the main credit
goes to Sayadaw as majority of the people here have either read his books
or have listened to his cassette tapes. That is the main reason
why there is a great demand for him. We managed to collect over $2500
for this event alone after deducting some minor expenses we had for preparing
food for the guests, etc.
Wednesday (July 11, 2001) morning
My friend Henry Kao (Htaik San) managed to finish both the video films (including excellent video tape covers) for both the Dhamma talks. He personally handed to Sayadaw after Sayadaw's breakfast.
I accompanied the Sayadaw for the last "Soon" offering in LA. I am glad to know that the family who offered "Soon" to Sayadaw had all fifteen books by Sayadaw.
Documentary videos
Ko Henry not only shot and edited the videos; he also designed the video covers. He has only ordered 50 sets (of 2 videos -- one in Myanmar taken at Azusa monastery, and one in English taken at the Rosemead monastery) from a professional quality video duplicating service. TEach video costs US $5; Henry's service is FREE. U Tin Htoon will be mailing out 1 set to each Area Organizer at $10 (plus the mailing cost). Interested devotees can contact me and/or the Area Organizers.
Wednesday (July 11, 2001) night
Sayadaw U Jotika and U Tin Htoon (primary contact/organizer for the Los Angeles segment of the dhamma tour and "personal transportation officer of Sayadaw") arrived safely at 8:25 pm.
Sayadaw has "motion sickness"; so he retired to bed early after a brief exchange of greetings with the resident Sayadaws.
Ko Nyunt Than (RIT Mech 86) (web master, http://www.edhamma.com) is the primary contact for this leg of Sayadaw's tour. He will also arrange for Sayadaw's flight to Singapore.
Friday (July 13, 2001)
U Thein Aung, Ma Thida (Wife of U Tin Maung Oo), and Ko Nyunt Than drove Masoyein Sayadaw, U Jotika, and Mettananda Resident Monks to to Berkeley Lawrence Lab and bookshops in Berkeley.
The Dhamma Talk [in English] was held at the Mettananda
Vihara, Central Fremont, at 7 PM instead of Rudy's residence in Milpitas.
This change allowed Sayadaw, who had a taken a long trip [with "motion
sickness"], to rest for a while. The talk -- based on the first two Mingalas
(blessings or auspices) -- and the Q&A answer session lasted
over 2 hours. There was a group still asking more questions after the
"official" session ended.
Taken literally, the first Mingala tells us "not to associate with the fools" and the second Mingala tells us to "associate with the wise". A [big] fool is one who destroys both oneself and others, but we are [small] fools who, until we are aware of the true nature of lobha (greed) and dosa (anger), tend not to control our sensual pleasures. The two Mingalas, if taken deeper, tell us "not to associate with the foolish/unwholesome mental states" and "to associate with the wise/wholesome mental states".
Ko Nyunt Than videotaped the session. Ko Kyaw Zaw Tun audiotaped the session. They will do the same for other public dhamma talks for this leg of Sayadaw's dhamma tour.
Saturday (July 14, 2001)
"Su Paung Soon" offering took place at the Mettananda Vihara. Sayadaw took blood pressure reading and found out it was not normal. He later mentioned that it could possibly be because he took a piece of dorian.
The Dhamma Talk at the Tathagata Meditation Center (TMC, aka San Jose Monastery) was canceled due to Sayadaw's request. Sayadaw's is too tired to conduct twice in the same day [due to his health]. About 45 devotees, who were unaware of the cancellation, showed up at TMC. At first, they appeared disappointed, but Ko Kyaw Zaw Tun showed them the video tape of Sayadaw's dhamma talk "Mindfulness in Daily Life" which Sayadaw talked at Rosemead Buddhist Monastery on July 6 night. Ko Kyaw Zaw Tun also handed out cassette tapes of the dhamma talk given at Mettananda on July 13 night.
The Dhamma talk (in Myanmar) took place at Jefferson High School District, Serramonte del Rey, Daly City from 7 - 9:45 p.m. Over 300 devotees showed up at the event. Over $2700 in donation was raised.
Sayadaw's talk is based on "culture", especially Buddhist culture and its impact on the daily lives of people. "Culture" means "self perfection". Sayadaw stressed the importance of both physical perfection and mental perfection [awareness at all times, e.g. "driving mindfully"]. Sayadaw mentioned that there were only 4 or 5 Buddhist monasteries in the US back in 1983/84; this has grown to 22 monasteries.
The Q&A saw many questions -- much more than can be handled during the time allocated. Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu to Ma Myint Myint Thein for covering the costs of renting the hall, to the Neikban-zaw Ah Phwe for their successful sponsorship of the 4th dhamma talk in the Bay Area, the donors of the carpets, and the devotees young and old. Ko Chit Zaw and Ma Tu Tu have printed excerpts from this talk for dhamma dana.
Sunday (July 15, 2001)
"Su-Paung soon" offering and dhamma talk took place at the Kusalakari monastery in Fremont. In the Q&A session, Sayadaw was asked if renunciation can be considered a selfish act.
Tuesday (July 17, 2001)
Sayadaw's dhamma talk at Berkeley dhamma center lasted over 2 hours. While he was talking about the benefits of Mindfulness, he retold the story of U Koung Nyunt (RIT Arch 67) (New Zealand) as an example. Ko Nyunt Than has recorded all the events. The audio will be posted in the near future on http://www.edhamma.com [available for downloading and/or listening].
Wednesday (July 18,2001)
Two old devotees/followers took Sayadaw to the book stores on Castro Street in Mountain View. Sayadaw bought a bunch of books. Sayadaw has kindly given permission in writing to http://www.edhamma.com for free distribution of his material.
Thursday (July 19, 2001)
Earlier, I had given Sayadaw a copy of the June 2001 issue of the Dhammananada Newsletter. Sayadaw expressed his wish to visit the Dhammananda Vihara in Half Moon Bay, but the tight schedule did not allow him to do so. Ko Nyunt Than took Sayadaw U Jotika to the Half Moon Bay monastery.
Friday (July 20, 2001)
Some old devotees (who knew Sayadaw U Jotika during his stay at the Taung Pu Lu Kaba Aye monastery in Boulder Creek in 1983-84) regained contact with Sayadaw. One devotee, who had been mentioned in some of Sayadaw's talks as an alcoholic/drug addict with no one to love (including herself), reaffirmed Sayadaw that "she has remained sober, now has an altar even in her office, practices meditation daily, reconciled with her mother, ..."
Another old devotee/visitor is Ron Browning, a Ph.D. in Psychology, who spent 5 years as a monk. He has contacted U Tin Htoon and gave a draft of his proposal of an organization to disseminate the dhamma.
Saturday (July 21, 2001)
"Su Paung Ah Hlu" took place. Among those present was Bob Stahl, Ph. D. (see http://www.mindfulnessprograms.com and bob@mindfulnessprograms.com). At Sayadaw's request, Bob gave an overview of the stress-reduction program (being run at 250+ centers in the US). Another devotee [from Texas] has spent 20 years in Myanmar (partly as a monk and partly as a ya-the).
A huge crowd attended the dhamma talk from 7 - 9 p.m. at the Mettananda Vihara. Since the main dhamma hall could not cater to all the devotees present, several have to listen via the speakers in the rooms on the ground floor. Sayadaw's talks include: some qualities of the Buddha, his exposition on some excerpts from the book on "Mindfulness", followed by a Q&A session. As usual, the session is video-taped and audio-taped.
Regarding "su taung", Sayadaw explained that we are not literally asking a favor from anyone (including Buddha who had passed away); it is more like directing the "power/potential" of kusala for a good cause (e.g. aid/help in the acquisition of wisdom/knowledge/enlightenment). A simile is an archer who pulls the string and aims at a target skillfully so that the arrow would not stray or wander.
Sunday (July 22, 2001)
Due to popular demand to accommodate a larger audience, the dhamma talk on July 22nd is being rescheduled to Elk's Lodge (opposite Chabot College) in Hayward.
Sayadaw gave a dhamma talk in English at the Elk's Lodge from 1 - 3 p.m. The main theme was based on an article "11 points regarding Maturity". As usual, it was followed by a Q&A session.
Monday (July 23, 2001)
Ko Nyunt Than and devotees -- in three cars -- accompanied
Sayadaw to Dr. Daw Thynn Thynn's center at Sebastapol (north of
San Francisco). They arrived there at 10:30.
Sayadaw rested for a while and then had his "soon"
(lunch) in a private dhamma house at the center.
At 1:00 PM Sayadaw gave a very thoughtful talk emphasizing
on the need to investigate/experience on whatever you believe in. Otherwise
Jonestown-like tragedies could occur. A very enlightening talk.
Left the center at 3:30 and arrived back at the
Mettananda Vihara at 5:00 PM.
Tuesday (July 24, 2001)
No public talks and discussions are scheduled. We respect Sayadaw's privacy and health concerns, and the need to adapt to the different time zones [and jet lags].
Wednesday (July 25, 2001)
Ko Nyunt Than and family is offering the last
"ah-yone-soon" for the Bay Area dhamma tour.
Sayadaw left at mid night from the San Francisco
International Airport to Singapore.
Dear Saya and Friends,
I will pass Sayadaw the message. You can contact him until 1st August 2001 by e-mail or telephone " 665 0243 " ( U Tin Mg Win & Daw Moe Moe Yi's home ).
Sayadaw will go back to Rangoon on 2nd August 2001.
With Respect & Metta,
Hla Kyi,
Thursday (July 26, 2001)
Sayadaw U Jotika is now back in Singapore safe and sound. The aeroplane touched down at Singapore Changi Airport on the dot at 11:49 AM.
As usual, Sayadaw got slight air sickness during the last hour of the flight from Taiwan. Not to worry as Sayadaw will be fine after a short rest.
Thank you very much to all the peoples who gave help to Sayadaw some way or other during his world Dhamma tour.
Please help to relay the messages to all the people involved.
Sayadaw will be flying back to Myanmar on 2nd August, Thursday.
Friday (July 27, 2001)
Editor's note: I requested U Tin Maung Win to print this e-mail and give it to Sayadaw. Unlike U Tin Htoon [who worked for a long time in Singapore and was one of the conceptual designers of the Burmese Buddhist Temple], I was not aware that there were two U Tin Maung Win(s) active in sasana work in Singapore.
Hi U Tin Htoon, U Hla Min,
How are you all doing?
I received both of your emails on the above subject. I will print it out and hand over to Sayadaw today.
Sayadaw is presently residing at another U Tin Maung Win + Daw Moe Moe Yi's residence which is just one block away from my place, just 3 minutes walk only.
Both of us are Sayadaw's close disciples, working for the same company, staying very close to each other just one block away and doing dhamma works together.
I just came back after offering breakfast for Sayadaw. U Tin Htoon knows me very well as we are doing dhamma works together with U Mya Maung while he was in Singapore.
With metta,
Tin Maung Win
Sunday (July 29, 2001)
Public Dhamma talk at Burmese Buddhist Temple.
Ko Hla Kyi sent 21 photos (taken by Ko Kyaw Soe) in three
zip files.
They will be posted on http://www.nibbana.com
Thursday (August 2, 2001)
Sayadaw completes the 2001 Dhammaduta International tour. Returns to
Myanmar for the Vasa (rainy season retreat).
Dear Sayadaw U Jotika
c/o Hla Min, Ko Nyunt Than
Mettananda Vihara
Fremont
We were all eagerly looking forward to seeing you when Saya Lwin enquired
whether we are in a position to host you in the United States. Since your
arrival in New York from England, I have been literally counting days to
greet you at the Ontario International airport and attend to your needs
during your stay in Los Angeles. At the same time
I sent an e-mail "welcoming you to America". Very soon, you will be
departing San Francisco airport for Singapore. Thus, Helen and my two sons,
Myat Kyaw Thu & family and Myo Kyaw Swar, join with me to wish you
a pleasant and safe journey back home.
All of us are very grateful to you for coming all the way to America
and giving many Dhamma discourses as well as creating opportunities to
perform meritorious deeds. Your visit was very fruitful in every aspect.
I therefore, decided to put into words and thus my letter to you which
I have attached herewith (except for Bhante Chao Chu's
comments and Los Angeles Times newspaper cuttings). I have also posted
the letter with enclosures to Ko Tin Mg Win's Singapore address today.
I am sure you will agree that all of us benefited from your "2001 Dhammaduta
International Tour".
I also came to know that you will be giving a Dhamma talk at the Singapore Burmese Buddhist Temple on Sunday July 29. Since I was very much involved in establishing this new temple and did the conceptual design for it when I was there, I am glad that your last public Dhamma talk will be given in this magnificent Dhamma hall.
Once again we all wish you a pleasant and safe journey back home and looking forward to be of service to you here in the States in the very near future.
With Highest Respect & Boundless Metta,
Tin Htoon - Helen & family
Dear Dhamma Devotees,
Thanks for the info about Sayadaw's Singapore program.
For all of us [in the Bay Area], we do not know how two
weeks passed [so quickly]. It is sad to know that Sayadaw is leaving us
tonight, but he has left us more than 14 hours of dhamma talk that we have
captured in Audio as well as in Video. I think I will be listening to these
[tapes] again and again as I've found them to be very [inspiring,
information, and] communicating to me. He has also left us with a strong
network of dhamma devotees as Uncle U Tin Htoon described.
Sayadaw has encouraged us to distribute his material free of charge or with minimal cost of production as much as we could. I will pass my videos to U Tin Htoon for him to produce and redistribute. He and his friend [Ko Htaik San (a) Henry Kao] have time, energy, skill and commitment to do so.
For audios, I will digitize, clean up, smooth out and distribute on our website, http://www.edhamma.com for anyone to listen and/or download and redistribute [them] free of charge. Edhamma.com is a web site that Ashin Nanika [resident monk of Mettananda Vihara], Saya U Hla Min and I are working on. I will also combine all the questions and answers and offer them separately. [With time and volunteers] we could also reproduce them in tapes, audio cds or MP3 cds and distribute.
If you have any talk(s) that you recorded during this 2001 dhamma tour and would like to offer to public [dana] free of charge, please kindly pass it to me. I will work on them and include them in our offering, and I will pass the [larger] collection back to you as well. That way we could fulfill Sayadaw's wish of bringing his dhamma to every one.
My address is:
1801 Shoreline Drive, #108
Alameda, CA 94501
USA
With metta and respect,
Nyunt Than
Ko Hla Min, you have done a wonderful job in such a short time. CONGRATULATIONS! No wonder you have been discharging your duties as EDITOR of so many websites and Newsletters. No one will qualify to do such a job apart from you. I am very proud to have a cousin like you.
By the way, may I make some correction on two points. ... If you correct these two points, all the facts will be OK, as far as I am concerned.
Editor's note: I have incorporated the corrections.
It will be nice if we get similar contributions from UK, Canada, New York and Baltimore. Just send them to Ko Hla Min and he will compile them together. That will be fantastic.
I wish to do a video film for Sayadaw U Jotika's "2001 Dhammaduta International
Tour". Can you all send me the videos and photos with the captions. I will
edit and combine all of them and make a video film with my friend Henry
Kao (Htaik San). Saya Maung Maung Lwin has already viewed the one I did
for my mother's 89th. birthday from over (1,000) photos and thus he will
have a good idea as to how it will turn out. I strongly feel that it is
worth to document. Thus, please send what ever photos or videos you
have WHICH YOU THINK IS WORTH WHILE TO BE INCLUDED.
By way of this e-mail, I wish to request Ko Tin Mg Win inform Sayadaw about our plans to do a video film for his Dhammaduta tour. Thus, I will appreciate if he can arrange some photos to be taken at his "Ten mile monastery". I wish to have him in the foreground with his monastery in the back. I also wish to have some photos taken in his study room and the shrine room. I also wish to have his photos taken with Shwe-Oo-Min Sayadaw and other photos which he wish to include in the video film.
Kindly make some special effort to send the photos and videos to me as soon as possible. It will take some time for me to do the editing and then Henry will start shooting the photos to be joined with the video clips.
With Boundless Metta,
Tin Htoon
Hello Saya Tin Htoon and Friends,
Sorry for delay in replying to all the emails I received.
The new photos you sent a few days ago have been ready to be uploaded. But the Space provider site was closed for servicing. They are back a few hours ago. The photos can be viewed now at the usual webpage, <http://www.nibbana.com/jotikauk.htm>
In the near future the photos and programmes will be moved to a new chapter and page called 'Dhammaduta Missionary Tours' under Section B (Theravada II) at Nibbana.com site. <http://www.nibbana.com/damaduta.htm>
It is a good idea to save the pages now, in case you need them in the future for producing video or CD. Perhaps U Hla Min and U Nyunt Than can produce the CD, working closely with you.
Please contact me if necessary regarding UK leg of the tour although
the latter was not as well organised as those of the American colleagues.
A Myanmar couple from Liverpool invited the Sayadaw to Liverpool.
They don't even have the use of a local Myanmar Monastery base because
of personal reasons. That was how this tour
started. Now Sayadaw knows how well a Dhammaduta Tour can be
organised provided the devotees and well wishers are given the opportunity
to do it with encouragement and good co-operation from the Tour Officials
(not applicable this time as Sayadaw was on his own and very flexible.)
I am very glad that we have successfully managed this great Dhamma tour for a Myanmar Sayadaw at very short notice, thanks to all organisers and devotees. Most of the organisers have never met each other and they have other commitments as well. Now we have acquired some tour experience and I feel that we can do it again.
Best wishes to you all,
Maung M Lwin
Nibbana.com
Dear Ko Tin Mg Win, another Ko Tin Mg Win & Ko Hla Kyi,
CONGRATULATIONS
for successfully organizing the very last public Dhamma talk for Sayadaw
U Jotika at Singapore Burmese Buddhist Temple. The turn out was great.
What a fitting way to conclude Sayadaw's "2001 Dhammaduta International
Tour". The attendance clearly indicates the growing Myanmar population
in Singapore as well as Sayadaw's popularity overseas. No one can deny
the effectiveness of Sayadaw's books and cassette tapes.
I am very happy to see that Sayadaw had the opportunity to give the
Dhamma talk at this temple. At last, the temple has been put to "proper
use" as intended by the "Founding members". As one of its founding members
who was fortunate enough to chip in a thousand dollars each to help establish
this temple, and having shouldered the great responsibility in moving the
huge magnificent marble Buddha image from the old place in Kinta Road,
as well as the rare opportunity to do the conceptual design of the temple
building, I am indeed extremely glad to see the Dhamma hall filled
up to its full capacity. Just seeing the pictures posted on nibbana.com
website by Saya Lwin alone brought a lot of "piti" and for that I wish
to thank Sayadaw and the organizing committee. Sayadaw, thank you very
much for letting me gain more meritorious deeds once again by looking at
your Dhamma talk pictures. I feel very happy and contended for all the
hard work I did for the temple more than ten years ago.
Now that you all had achieved a great accomplishment in organizing Sayadaw's Dhamma talk, I sincerely wish to urge you to keep up with your good works for the perpetuation and propagation of the Buddha Sasana.
With Boundless Metta,
Tin Htoon
Dear Ko Hla Min
Thank you very much for quickly updating my message about GBNF (Gone but not forgotten). I would like to add some more about Architect U Kyaw Thein. There are similar names among architects and the members of the other departments in RIT. Also he is an architect, he is better known and more recognizable as Saya U Kyaw Thein (Arch 67).
In my first message, I said that we are very busy with daily work and extra-curricular (humanitarian) activities. However, once I saw the name of Sayadaw U Jotika in your Alumni Newsletter updates, I can't resist to share my experience about Sayadaw's preaching. Feel free to edit it. If someone share my views with Sayadaw when he visits the US, it will be a great pleasure and benefit not only for me, but for all of our RIT Alumni. The true story is as follows.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Do: dha tahna
Anger, a form
of desire (or, excessive anger)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
As an architect, and as a school teacher, I have to do my drawings late in the evening at school and often until midnight at home. Instead of listening to music while drawing, I would spend almost all the time listening to Sayadaw U Jotika's cassettes. I have about 30 C60 (1-hour) tapes donated by Ko Thiha (Arch 81).
Sayadaw mentioned on numerous occasions about 'do: dha tahna', how not to perceive it, and that getting rid of that will be beneficial even in our daily lives.
As the time for the school examinations approached, we have to prepare exam questions. I was copying my papers in the copying room, when suddenly, a furious Professor and Head of the School stormed into the room. He ordered me in a harsh tone "Stop copying", because he wanted to copy there and then. I complied, but he did not stop yelling me and ordered to leave the room immediately.
I was also furious. My whole body was shaking, because of his behaviour. However, a glimpse of light came into my head, i.e., Sayadaw's preaching of 'do: dha tahna'. Suddenly I felt cool and calm. But there also was a lady office-staff (kiwi) in the room. She could not tolerate the Professor's behaviour and started quarrelling with him. I requested the lady to cool down.
The professor left the room and quarreled with another professor on the staircase. That 'do: dha tahna' led to a fist fight. Both of them fell down the stairs and had to be taken to an emergency clinic. The event was reported in the University Newspapers. Both of them were summoned by the Vice-Chancellor.
A week later, in the department meeting, the Head of the Department/Professor apologized me in front of all the staff and students' representative. He asked me, "Who is your teacher that taught you to endure the insult and not get angry?". I lent him some of Sayadaw's books in English. Now he is practising and becoming a Budo-Christ.
Note: Some other Sayadaws analyse 'do: dha' not as a form of 'tahna'(desire), but simply as habit or behaviour.
But for Kogyi Koung, what more could I want/expect? The Professor, because of excessive anger, is about to become a Budo-Christ.
Thanks to the Mahar Mettadaw (Great Loving-kindness) of Sayadaw U Jotika.
Koung Nyunt (New Zealand)
Email: koung@ccu1.auckland.ac.nz
Fax: 64 9 3737410
Ph: 64 9 3737599 x8628
Sayadaw is looking for an editor [who is also a meditator] to polish his translation of his book "Sati/mind -- that abode" [or "How to make your mind your friend"].
Sayadaw has tentatively chosen the title "My body is weary, but my mind is not" for the forthcoming [16th] book.
Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu to the devotees all over the world who posted news, photos, and messages on http://www.nibbana.com about Sayadaw's dhamma duta missions: Singapore, UK, Canada, USA (New Jersey/New York, Baltimore MD, Los Angeles and the Bay Area [in California], and back again to Singapore.
Young and old, Myanmar and non-Myanmar, monks and lay people, ..., all enjoyed and benefited from Sayadaw's talks [in both Myanmar and English]. They received simple yet important messages:
That's all for now.
- Meditation means awareness, noting the true nature, and hence can be done in everyday life.
- Like the Japanese Tea Ceremony, we can make up Coffee Ceremony and Bread Eating Ceremony to give nourishment not only to our bodies but to our minds as well.
- Drive mindfully. You will not have Road Rage.
- You do not have to a pessimist, or an optimist. Buddha was a realist, and you should emulate him.
- Buddha listened attentively to Ashin Nandaka's talk. What things could have been there in that talk that Buddha did not know?
- "Kalama Sutta" tells us not to believe simply because ....
- People start mediating not because they aspire for nibbana, but if they practice consistently they'll find the true nature. It does not matter if they do not call themselves Buddhists.
- Buddhism is actually not an -ism. Buddha became enlightened by seeing the true nature. He wanted his followers to also see the true nature.
With metta,
Hla Min