Dear friends and patriots,

I wish to post my opinion regarding this Cyclone Nagris that struck our lower Myanmar on 2nd May 2008.

First of all, we should try to keep the relief and resettlement business as a Humanitarian issue.

It will not help our country as a nation if we politicize it.

That is why all concerned citizens should do whatever they can to volunteer or donate money.

Most of the Myanmars who are living all over the world are more connected by the
Internet to coordiante their efforts and discuss what should be done.

We all know that there is the UN and other countries who have offered to give aid and assistance.

However, citizens at the grass roots level should try to unite and work on this matter without being divided by politics, religion or affiliaition to an organization or association.

This is a National Disaster and a national issue which should transcend all our differences, petty or otherwise.

So what I want to say is this:

Be cool, unite and work hard.

Then we can discuss about what should be done to be better prepared in the future.

Let us take this sorrowful event as a means for national HEALING!!

"It's not me, it's not you, it's the PEOPLE".

Regards,

Km

Dear friend,

Don't waste you energy and time attacking me.

I am addressing this to both sides.

Talk less and do something useful.

Don't attack me because I do not work for the government.

I am saying this as a citizen of the country.

That is why we should not lose sight of what is important and what is not.

All I am saying is that at this hour of need, we should concentrate our energies on what is important - saving lives.

That does not mean that the politicians have to stop what they are doing.

They will do it anyway, because they are politicians. That is their nature.

Have a nice day.

You are attacking the wrong person.

If our political activists group just attack anyone who does not join them, I am sorry, they will never be able to win over the majority of the people for any political cause. This is the politics of disunity not the politics of hope and renewal.

You should use your energy to do positive things. To unite our people instead of trying to attack any one who disagrees with you.

I am just expressing my views here just like anyone else on this forum.

This forum exists for all of us to post our opinions.

The politics of disunity serves no purpose at all.

We need to find ways to do useful things at this time of need.

That is all I am saying.

Lastly, I am not a government civil servant. I retired in 1988 and you should know what it means, just by looking at this number - 1988 (the year of the nantionwide people's uprising).

Your understanding of what I stand for is totally wrong, my friend.

Metta,

Km

Now down to business:

1. Activate all social networks to create awareness about this national disaster.
2. Set up CAG's - Citizen's Action Groups as much as possible wherever Burmese communities exist in all foreign countries.
3. Create awareness about Cyclone Nargis by using all forms of grass-roots mobilization procedures.
4. Collect all relevant facts about Myanmar and the cyclone so that the latest situation can be provided in a timely manner.
5. Guide all donors to the best websites and most reputable NGO's.
6. If you have your own group of Concerned Citizens, form a CCC at your township level to provide leadership and to collect donations.
7. Connect with all other CCC groups in other states to coordinate this humanitarian mission.

These are just my suggestions and I invite all other Concerned Citizens to join in the discussions and provide their inputs.

The effectiveness with which all these CCC's can coordinate and work together in unity can help to save lives.

Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu.

Thanks to all the work done so far.

Metta,

Km

Dear UKM,

You have been missed UKM. Glad to have you back. It is a nice call and a right call . I agree and support it. But I still have few things to say.

There were eight famous attacks on Buddha himself, HE survived. Jesus was crucified in the end. Mohammed had to run away from Mecca to Medina I have heard. They all did what they had to do. Cofucious was one of them. But we are neither Buddha, nor Jesus nor Mohammed. We all have to do what we have to do.

" It's not me, its' not you, its the people ". I wish some irrogant people can understand what you mean. Ot waht I meant. In the past I talked about the," people " may times. Not very nmany people understand it or what I was talking about. So they attacked me as well . The pest that lives on the people couold not understand . The people you mean, the people I meant, and the people they are refferring to are the same people, ther are no other people, nobody else.

When Buddha taught , when Jesus taught, when Mohammed taught to millions of people , they all listened but only a small amount of people enlightened and became Thaw Ta ban , Anar Gan etc, ceased their life of circle and end up in Nirvana . Not all UKM not all, majority is still travelling in the life of circle.

The people , the grass root. the people matters most. the people must help themselves, they must help each other and so on. How many people hear us from inside Myanmar. How many of these people inside Myanmar hear what BBC , VOA, RFA DVB are hearing. Who is misleading who? What do you suggest to do about it UKM?

If you and I are talking about people, these people who are supposed to be Myanmar in all flesh and blood must hear first and they have to act as responsible human beings. That is for nobody else but for themselves.
The truth about Myanmat, the truth about SPDC, the truth about themselves.

With the disaster,without the flood, Myanmar is in a state having difficulties in transport, communitation etectric , this and that etc. Not to mentioned that the Mingaladon air port is fit for small aircrafts only. Flight control system is not that good including other fascilities.

All this is due t our own people inside and outside of the country. In my own words, becaue of NLD led by Ma Su Kyi, and all other oppositions. Because they are calling for and supporting the economic sanctions and other blockaed and embargos , you name it.

Let us stop this . and go to tne realities.

While Myanmar is suffreringfrom cyclone , Unites States is also suffering from Tornados. MYanmar saying is " Sin pain daw - Kywe " , When eleophant lost its weight , it still the size of a buffalo" . Well in Myanmar's case is "Dadoung Zar Khwet Pyauk " the begger who lost the begging bowl.

Some areas of Myanmar been struck by thies terrible cyclone and thousands of people lost their lives, , it is also possible thousand more to follow later. not to mentioned the lost of properties.

They did not have much , they did not lose much. Myanmrs are not yet living in the material world.

No matter how much you don't want to politicise it, you can not stop other not to do that. They take it as a great opportunity.

BUT to help these unfortunate people or in another word God forsaken people . In the heart of your hearts, you know too well who are politicising.

Help them or not help them

Myanmar politicians or Myanmar who are opposing SPDC do not know what to oppose or what not to oppose. Because all of them are upstarts. They are not grown up, they are not mature yet.

These are the people we need to talk to, these are the people we are talking to. Those who know aliitle are more difficultn to teach, like the one who was refused to be taught the Art of Herp.

Unoited States is the one, United Kingdom is another, which imposed economic sanctions and others on Myanmar.

Do we have to thank them for offering or bare of gratitude, because they offered a few helps innthis matter. You have heard US offered $1,5 million dollers , and UK £ 5 million. This monies may be a lot for those who have not seen monies that much before. But you know, yourself living in US, what kind of bangalows those manies could by.

We are talking about disaster UKM. The are3a of the whole of Myanmar is smaller than Taxas State of US. But it is nation.

With all their intentions and attitudes and behaviours, are you saying their offers are geniun and honest and there is nothing else behind it?
When you talk about the people , I assumed the peopls from the SPDC are included.

Mya I remind you that these people are well trained soldiers. Some of their seniors had been to Sandhuirst , Westpoint. They all know the military tactic, they all know military manuevours . Three worships and an air craft carrier load of military personnel to land in Myanmar to helpthe disaster, only fools and horse will believe. Let's say they all know how the military mind works OK?

To say, " please leave them at the air port, we will do the rest." does not mean rejection, this is accepting the offer, meeting the task half way. In a polite way, saying thank you, don;t worry , we will see these will get to their destination or to the inted people.

But if you don't trust someone you don't trust at all. Is there anything to trust . You are talking about a country, about a Government which is being ganged up. by former coloniel powers. C'mon UKM you know better then that.

My dear UKM. Myanmar military is responsible to the Myanmar nation, to the Myanmar people. it is a national army to defend and protect the people from enemies inside and from outside. It is caucious, over causious may be, but they are not doing anything wrong.

I myself do not like US to get involve in the affairs , disaster or not. disasters are not the creations of the 21st century. We human beings are living with them for as long as they can remember. Nothing new.

All we have to do is what, UN officials , Red cross on the ground are saying. Forget about the comments, remarks, forget about the critism and over dramatisec media reports. You know what and how they are. They can make bed bugs ro tortoise, mountain out of a muld.

In a country like Myanmar you cannot expect perfection within hours or days.
Who are creating this situation for Myanmar, creating difficults for Myanmar, for SPDC to be difficult to do anything may I ask?

Yes , the main people are Myanmars who are oppositions. <Ma Su Kyi and NLD has not come up to the realisation yet. DO they know what is happening in Mynamr> Are they happy, very happy. Are they glad to see this as their achievement?

As I have said reffering to the Bible, God only punished the sinners. Sinners will be punished again and again in the furure,if they are still sinners, no matter who they will be.

Nice talking to you again.

Regards,

Thunderbolts,

Dear Thunderbolt,

As soon as I received word about this Cyclone, I sent out an email to my close friends who have their own social networks to do the following:

1. Pray for those who died and pray for the safety of all those who are still living. This means the victims who are still trying to survive and ALL the people of Burma/Myanmar. This means all the citizens and all those who are living there. NLD, SPDC, Army, poor, rich, farmers, workers, students, teachers, monks, businessmen. I mean all. When we do the Loving-kindness meditation in our own Meditation Groups we do it according to the Buddhist way. You need to love yourself first before you can generate any form of Loving-kindness for any other person.

2. To treat this as a Humanitarian issue and do whatever they can at the family level, ward or township level and also at the community level.

3. When we do any act of donation, the intention is the most important thing. In Buddhist tradition, cetana is most important. Kutho kan cetana that is what it is. So that is why I say forget the "I" and the "Ego" and just do the good deed. There is not need to go up to the top of any tower and shout "I donated, I donated this and this amount." So long as we know we have done a good deed that is good enough. Other things are not important. So that is why I urge all my friends and leaders of all other associations to all JOIN forces, forget the petty things, forget the past differences of opinion and UNITE and do what needs to be done.

3. Do not wait for anyone. Not the UN, not the government, not the army, not the Red Cross or whatever humanitarian associations or organizations there may be. The first DUTY of every citizen is to take care of their own safety and do what needs to be done by discussing it among themselves at the GRASSROOTS level. That is why I proposed the formation of CCC's at all levels of organization. This is what all our citizens can do. There has been too much division already. This will not be helpful for any of us. The more disunity we have, the easier it will be for our enemies to exploit that disunity. Committees of Concerned Citizens at the ward, township level can do wonders. I have seen many video clips or citizens and monks taking action to clear up the trees lying on the streets. This is how it should be.

4. All the Burmese who are fortunate to be living abroad should organize and UNITE to treat this as a Humanitarian endeavor. By that I mean do not say "he is from this organization or that organization, he is NLD, he is the son of an army official." We should stop all these divisive remarks and attitudes and take prompt action. Lives can be saved every minute and time is of the essence. Our bickering and our petty differences should not act as an obstacle in this HUMANITARIAN effort. We are all HUMAN beings first. So all humans should be treated equally. Just like the parents who will not make a differentiation among the son on the chest and the son who is on the back (Kyaw thar Yin thar), we should take action for the benefit of all CITIZENS. Disaster and disease can hit anyone. It will not ask "are you this person, are you that person, to which political organization do you belong. Are you an army personnel". So it can hit anyone and disease can spread any where. Floods, fire, disease, HIV AIDs know no borders. If there is fire in the rubbish dump, it can burn down the Royal Palace also.

5. For all Burmese families to play the 11 parittas. This is for protection. All others can pray in their own way - Christians, Hindus, Muslims in their own traditions. Inter-faith prayers are also needed.

May I pray for the safety of all the citizens of Burma/Myanmar.

May our country achieve unity of spirit and unity of strength and become prosperous again.

Metta,

Km

UKM,

Let me not praise myself. I am not that kind. I also talked to keep politic aside, becaus this is purely humanitarian matter. I don't nee any credit. I also did what I had to do calling for understanding among all Myanmars. Why don't you check the forum?

It's good of you , you have done your part good. I must say. I cannot say you were wrong. In fact there is nothing more you can do or I can do.

I don’t mean to be odd or to upset you and others for being so blunt and abrupt. I did not know the sweet words and I am not a humble one either.

You know as well as I do Myanmar is known as Buddhist country and most of the Myanmar people are Buddhist. But how many of them are good Buddhists.
Many things are happening to these people in Buddhist Myanmar. I do not know who is responsible for all these happenings, disasters or devastations. .

There are Buddhist Monasteries and Buddhist Pagodas, not to mentioned meditation centres. Buddhist Monks and Buddhist Nuns. You cannot count them. If you try to count them you may be in trouble, a big trouble.

That is why Nandaw Shey Saya Tin said, we Myanmars are very rich people . Whether he meant what he said or he was sarcastic in a way. I am not sure

11 Prittas are very familiar most Myanmars know them by heart. When you are in Myanmar , any part of Myanmar 4:30 a.m in the early morning you will hear nothing but Buddhist Monks saying prayers, through the loud speakers.
They don’t care whether some body is sick or tired or sleeping because of hard work the day before. They don’t who is what, all the Monks was doing is doing a good deed , saying prayers, “ Tayar Yey Aye Tite Kywey “ What are other Monks doing everyday I wonder.

That is the Myanmar Buddhist tradition, human rights can wait. Do you understand what I am saying UKM. Many people such as I need enough sleep. to refill energy, to recharge our battery to go to work next day.. That loud speaker is violating my right. My human right UKM. What would you say? Can they not do other alter native ways? Do they have to do that? Are they not forcing on others, whether they like it or not. If they don’t like it they can drop dead , is that ? But this is a Buddhist tradition, we are Buddhist this is our customs. That is just one instance UKM just one. How did they do it before loud speakers were introduce to Myanmar.

Now we have this disaster in such a magnitude, according to the media. We are not on the ground to see ourselves. Disaster and devastation no matter how small or big they are people are suffering. People needs help. Prayers won’t help UKM. If prayers did help, Myanmar won’t be like this. Because Myanmars have been praying in all of their life doing nothing practically, to better their lives, but praying and giving away whatever they have as Dana.

What you are talking about is to pray and help each other. Where can you go wrong when you say such lovely, sweet words. Even if you pray to God, God doesn’t know who to help, because everybody is praying, asking for his mercy.
You can say there are so many Gods, as much as the sand at the bottom the River Ganges, one of them will hear and answer. That is a good hope.

Today in this disaster and devastation knowingly this is a pure humanitarian matter. Some people are playing politic. politicising. As I have said earlier. Myanmar is poor in everything. That poverty is men made. Cyclone is not men made. if it is a man made one, who could that man be? That word “man made” came out from the mouth from a member of the opposition in Thailand. Our own people I believe. My answer to that is it is not a “man made” it surely is a “ woman made ”. What do you say to that UKM?

Yes true, there are many countries trying to help Myanmar. No doubt about it. But I said it before , Myanmar do not know who to trust. Because some of these countries are known exploiters. They will exploit anything, politically, economically, socially. Especially when Myanmar is as desperate as now in humanitarian matters. Myanmar can not say YES , cannot say NO. Those countries who wants to help Myanmar what do they want from Myanmar? At least democracy and human rights. The helpers come in peace and will stay in the country as long as they are necessary, is that it? It is very familier tune don't you think? To the delight of the opposition.

Condalisa Rice said it is nothing political. it is just for humanitarian matter. Lovely words don't you think?

That was how European went over to the West all the colonielist went over to other countries, in peace, remember?

I am not looking at or taken a face value. I always look at what is under the carpet. What is behind the silk curtain , what is behind the iron curtain You can’t blame SPDC for being so careful or over cautious. Who made them acting that way I just wonder. SPDC has all the good reason to be cautious or even over cautious. They are responsible group of Myanmars.

UKM, there are nations which has the culture of telling others what to do. What SPDC was saying is , help us if you want, but please do not disturb us. Is that too much to ask?

Nobody should take Myanmars as stupid idiots. Don’t be a naïve UKM.

Myanmar is not a poor country, Myanmars may be poor with their own reasons Myanmar is one of the least developed nations. SPDC is trying to make Myanmar a developed nation, but who is making SPDC difficult to do a good job. With difficulties they have done what they could.

Ko Kyaw Myaing, you must have been to Myanmar lately or recently. Have you studied the people of Myanmar ? Have they changed ? If so what way and how? Myanmars are as free as the birds. They don’t care about anything. They don’t care for anybody. They will make fortune out of other peoples miseries. Myanmars are not alone UKM, there are others as well.

Myanmar is a most corrupt country, that includes the people. You cannot put them aside. SPDC is corrupt, the people are corrupt, they are fit for each other. All people in Myanmar are corrupt including Buddhist Monks, Buddhist Nuns. Buddhism is highlighted by the Buddhist Monks last year. We don’t know about Christians, Muslims and other religions in Myanmar.

Overseas Christian after converting the animists into Christians are helping some Christian in Myanmar especially the people from our hilly region with some ideas and funds to by weapons.

How many Muslim terrorists in Myanmar we do not know yet. We have not seen their actions yet. They are still busy making money with their restaurants
( Htamin Saings) . How much are they corrupt ?

Chinese as well doing fine with their restaurants and take aways. How much are they corrupt?

Let me strike with a long bamboo, they are all “ De Pote Hte Ga De Pe ”. Is that fair enough. How much they have to corrupt officials for them to survive.

Now the price of an egg gone up from K120 to K1000, drinking water from K250 per litre to k2000, rice from meat poultry and fish from K 600 to K900 per 10 tickles.

UKM what is 11 Prittas any way? The real meaning of them in simple Myanmar language, I mean ? Praising somebody? I only want to know how you will answer. It would very nice if you can explain what these Prittas are.

If you praise somebody enough, you will be free from suffering, you will be free from troubles, you will be speared or you will even be escaped from danger , is that it. Praising somebody , offering Dana. Can that be translate or interpret as corruption?

UKM need I say more? No, I don’t think so.

Christian Bible could be right. in this case. The story of Noah and the story of two cities Sodom and Gomorrah. All the sinners were perished by the act of God. I am not belittling the Buddhism or Buddhists. In My view it would be best to take this Buddhism out of the politic. You may even create Buddhist Terrorists or Buddhists convert to other religion if they don’t become animists.

Well this time God has speared the lives of 51 and a half millions out of 52 million in Myanmar. It may be the warning, serious warning to all Myanmars and all people on earth. Do not commit sins of any kind. Killings, telling lies, committing adultery, stealing, taken intoxicated material. Committing those five precept alone can make you perished it is punishable by God.

So many killings, so many lies, so many rapes, so many stealing, so many intoxicated are being taken. Everybody is corrupt in Myanmar. Do you blame God for punishing them? Can you defy God, can you challenge God, can you undone what God had done?

To which God will you advice the people to pray UKM? For you it may be Buddha . I am sorry, Buddha does not want to know. You have to pay for what you have done. That‘s what Buddha said.

Again what I am saying, is these disaster strikes, because people are not observing the five precept s which they should. Prayer won’t help UKM
That is for sure.

I only hope this disaster is not the beginning of all other disasters to come. Because Myanmars are so corrupt they have to pay the price. They won't get away.

Do you realise the most devastated areas are Mon and Kayin States, and some time in the past it has been Yakhine State?

Regards,

Thunderbolts.

Dear Thunderbolt,

Parittas are from the Buddhist tradition. They are meant for protection. They do not ask any God for any favor.

I know Myanmar is made up of people with various beliefs but the majority are Buddhists. So the Buddhist will pray anyway, whether you like it or not. That is their right. Also, other can pray if they wish. That is their right.

What I am proposing is to take action that will help the cyclone victims. People have to learn "self-reliance".

According to the law of Karma, we get what we deserve.

So whatever good or bad happens to me is the result of karma, past, present and future. That is what I believe.

I want to emphasize that "prayers help" in their own way. That is my belief. Whether you believe it or not is your right. I have no say in this matter whether you pray or not or whether you belive in Buddha or not.

That is your individual conscience and I have to respect that.

Nice talking to you my friend.

Regards,

Km

Dear Thunderbolt,

This is what you wrote:

"11 Prittas are very familiar most Myanmars know them by heart. When you are in Myanmar , any part of Myanmar 4:30 a.m in the early morning you will hear nothing but Buddhist Monks saying prayers, through the loud speakers.
They don’t care whether some body is sick or tired or sleeping because of hard work the day before. They don’t who is what, all the Monks was doing is doing a good deed , saying prayers, “ Tayar Yey Aye Tite Kywey “ What are other Monks doing everyday I wonder."

This is my response to your posting regarding Eleven Parittas:

1. First of all if you are a Buddhist, and I think you are a Buddhist, I want to explain what Eleven Parittas are. I think you have a misunderstanding here. These Parittas were handed down from generation to generation for the "protection" of the people. It does not matter who is reciting them. It may be a Buddhist monk or a lay person. It does not matter. The only thing that matters is that they are more effective when the persons who recite them keep the Five Precepts. If they cannot keep all the Five Precepts then they should try to keep as many as possible.

2. Prayers have been known to humanity since the beginning of time. Some people pray to God, to Buddha, to Allah, to Mohamed, to Jesus. They do this because of individual belief. Whether their prayers have been answered or not is another matter. But people do what they believe. Belief systems are very important. They are at the foundation of society. When we pray to Buddha and recite his Nine Noble virtues we know that he cannot hear us. How can he? He has passed away. He is no more. The Buddhists believe he has entered Nivarna. So how can we benefit by reciting his Nine Noble Virtues. Just take one of them. Arahan. Arahan means "he is the person who will not do bad things whether he is alone in public view". When a person says "Arahan" many times he looks to the Buddha as the teacher and tries to get inspiration from his conduct. That is why we do the prayers and that is why we do the "seit badee". So what happens in our minds is very important. Some times the body may be suffering but in times of danger people pray and for that moment at least they get some form of relief.

3. Many people believe in angels, nats and devas. I do not know about you. The parittas are effective because all these holy devas are around all of us. When they hear our prayers they can help. The Buddhists believe that if we invoke the name of the Buddha and ask the devas for help, we really do get help.

There are many more things to discuss about this subject of Parittas and prayers.

I hope you appreciate this sharing of what I know.

I do not know everything, nor do I claim to know eveything.

However, if people allow me to explain, I will share what little I know so that those who do not know may get benefit from it.

And once more thing, Mr. Thunderbolt, I know that all of us reap what we sow. These are the words of Jesus. Buddha also said our karma (good or bad) follows us like a shadow.

Metta,

Km