Dear U Warazein,

I think you are from Australia.

Good luck and good health dear friend.

Kyaw Myaing

Ko kmyaing, I think I am not trying to practice as a monk. I am NOT truth-seeker But I like to be a "truth-speaker". First of all, who cares whether you tell your name or not, this is a place I don't know who you are as well as you don't know who I am. However, I can tell you some people from here and there know who you are and what else your different user-name elsewhere on the net.


Be honest with yourself Ko kmyaing. Whether the facts you are saying is the acts you are actually doing or not!!!
For instant, first ask youself if you are honest with yourself like am I always expose myself who I am here a writer as "kmyaing" assume name!!!
If not, don't even think to convince me and the others to say who I am and who the others are.

Otherwise, you should write some good articles or whatever by "kmyaing" on the state-run newspaper New Light of Myanmar (English and Burmese). I am urging you to do so from now on. I wish to read it

The secondly, do you ask yourself and why Burma has been the poorest country as you said Burma has a lot of natural resources. Don't be silly "kmyaing". Find and See the truth as you are truth-seeker.

Come on! Do you think Burma still has a lot of natural resources until the end of the world?
Who are taking it away with burglar's prices and who are doing this to happen. Who are the beneficiaries???


Your military government authorities are not using it wisely for the country and people but for themselves! Just to remind you one thing; why Sr. Gen. Than Shwe's was able to have the lavish wedding in the world for his youngest daughter while 95 % of people are living in poverty-line.

In Burma, you can count the numbers as one- two -three with your own hands those are able to have the needs of human's basic living standards.

Do you think general Than Shwe and his cronies have won the MEGA balls lottery several times from the U.S. otherwise BO BO AUNG helped them as his favourite persons ???? I hope not you may say so

The last, Burma doesn’t need superficial changes. Burma doesn’t need a lot of empty rhetoric promises and says. Burma doesn’t need mere treatment for her pain. Burma needs all of her people to be honest with her. All must be for one herself and all must be for all of themselves with love, peace and harmony. Then she won’t be crying for pain anymore. YOU GOT IT!!!!!

Ko kmyaing, I think I am not trying to practice as a monk. I am NOT truth-seeker But I like to be a "truth-speaker". First of all, who cares whether you tell your name or not, this is a place I don't know who you are as well as you don't know who I am. However, I can tell you some people from here and there know who you are and what else your different user-name elsewhere on the net.


Be honest with yourself Ko kmyaing. Whether the facts you are saying is the acts you are actually doing or not!!!
For instant, first ask youself if you are honest with yourself like am I always expose myself who I am here a writer as "kmyaing" assume name!!!
If not, don't even think to convince me and the others to say who I am and who the others are.

Otherwise, you should write some good articles or whatever by "kmyaing" on the state-run newspaper New Light of Myanmar (English and Burmese). I am urging you to do so from now on. I wish to read it

The secondly, do you ask yourself and why Burma has been the poorest country as you said Burma has a lot of natural resources. Don't be silly "kmyaing". Find and See the truth as you are truth-seeker.

Come on! Do you think Burma still has a lot of natural resources until the end of the world?
Who are taking it away with burglar's prices and who are doing this to happen. Who are the beneficiaries???


Your military government authorities are not using it wisely for the country and people but for themselves! Just to remind you one thing; why Sr. Gen. Than Shwe's was able to have the lavish wedding in the world for his youngest daughter while 95 % of people are living in poverty-line.

In Burma, you can count the numbers as one- two -three with your own hands those are able to have the needs of human's basic living standards.

Do you think general Than Shwe and his cronies have won the MEGA balls lottery several times from the U.S. otherwise BO BO AUNG helped them as his favourite persons ???? I hope not you may say so

The last, Burma doesn’t need superficial changes. Burma doesn’t need a lot of empty rhetoric promises and says. Burma doesn’t need mere treatment for her pain. Burma needs all of her people to be honest with her. All must be for one herself and all must be for all of themselves with love, peace and harmony. Then she won’t be crying for pain anymore. YOU GOT IT!!!!!

Ko kmyaing, I left to add this on the previous post. As I said in the very earlier post that I wish you to be clear and I have nothing against you personally.

I don't even know you - so why should am I against you!!!!!.

I don't mean to rebuke for the works of yours which you intends to help the people of Burma. My point is I wish you to be seeing the differences between the inner circle of todays' military authorities and 400,000 men and women from today's Myanma Tatmadaw.

As I have been very close to many soldiers from Burmese army, I don't hate them but I hate the military leaders those are evils. You can't deny that the generals don't even care about their owns so do you think they care 50 millions ordinary people.

That's what I wish you to find and see the truth. Then you will be as truth-seeker,Ko kmyaing.

BTW, as I am a Burmese I wish you have Happy Thingyan and Burmese New Year!!!!!

Ko kmyaing, I left to add this on the previous post. As I said in the very earlier post that I wish you to be clear and I have nothing against you personally.

I don't even know you - so why should am I against you!!!!!.

I don't mean to rebuke for the works of yours which you intends to help the people of Burma. My point is I wish you to be seeing the differences between the inner circle of todays' military authorities and 400,000 men and women from today's Myanma Tatmadaw.

As I have been very close to many soldiers from Burmese army, I don't hate them but I hate the military leaders those are evils. You can't deny that the generals don't even care about their owns so do you think they care 50 millions ordinary people.

That's what I wish you to find and see the truth. Then you will be as truth-seeker,Ko kmyaing.

BTW, as I am a Burmese I wish you have Happy Thingyan and Burmese New Year!!!!!

Dear friend,

Happy Thingyan to you and your family.

May the New Year bring you health, happiness and prosperitiy.

We are all having discussions in this forum for the good of our country. Not to have personal fame or glory.

Thank you so much for explaining your points of view.
I am aware of many of the facts that you have pointed out.

There are two types of attitudes that we can have againt the people we hate.

- we hate the physical person
- or we hate their actions

People are physical entities guided by their thoughts.

This is just some insight I gained from listening to Pahtan tapes.

"Hatred never ceases by hatred, hatred ceases only by live. This is the eternal law." - Gautama Buddha.

Once the thinking changes, then even Angulimala who killed one thousand people because he was misguided became an Arahat once he met the Budddha and after he had listened to the sermon of the Buddha.

What I am trying to explain here is to separate the person from his deeds and to separate the people from the institution. Then you will feel better.

For example, the army as an institution has existed and will exist in this country and in all other countries for the legitimate defence of the country. But it is a fact that armies are established with the taxes of the country. The taxes are paid by the citizens. That is the international custom.

However, in a normal country, they have a constitution and all institutions operate under the laws of the constitution.

As the army is just one of the public service personnel within the country, they operate within the laws and regulations of the country.

In a country all the service personnel - civil service, foregin service, defence service all operate within the laws and regulations of the country.

Once we have the constitution, we will have a parliament.

Once we have a parliament, we will have the opportuinty to formulate laws that are beneficial for the people.

These are long processess but we need to go through these processes.

Since we do not have a real parliament as yet, all Burmese people and friends of Myanmar/Burma have the opportunity to discuss here in this forum and explain their points of view.

In my own view, life is short and we know not how long we will live.

So I have made it a point to spend my time usefully. If I cannot say something useful, I say to myself "it is better for me to keep silent".

May our country live long.
May all the people of our country be happy and well!
May all the friends of Myanmar/Burma be happy and well.
May all citizens and leaders be free from sorrow, worry, sadness and anxiety!
May we all be guided by knowledge and wisdom!

May all these good thoughts spread to all corners of the country.

Best regards,

Kyaw Myaing

Dear U Kyaw Myaing,

Good to hear that you're into 'Patthana' and there are good books on it such as Shin Zanaka Bivumsa's 'A chey-pyu Patthan' and 'Myitzu-thaka Phattan'(which I prefer).

During the time when you were at Uni didn't they teach Patthan in Inter A and B? I happened to get those course materials from my sister.

Like I said before, even if we 'intend' or even 'try to do' something good until and unless the conditions are right it won't materialised. 'Akusala' forces are still on the acendency so whatever 'kusala' won't be able to see the breakthrough yet.

Just think about it when 'spiritual leaders' or the 'soil where kusala kamma' can be sown are not living up to their role, how hopeful are we to get the country out of trouble. Some of them, to me, are worse than the Taliban. The Taliban may blow up acient Buddhist statues but the ones we have in Burma are destroying our 'sasana' from within. Didn't Buddha said it would be his sons in the order that are going to destroy the sasana?

It was good to see that the upcoming leaders in the movement are emphasising on this side of thinking rather than 'opposing' or 'defying' for the sake of it.

I'm sure you came to realise that let alone 'digital education' we cannot hope of 'decent education' if and when the military regime of any kind is in power.

I wish you and your family a 'properous' New Year too. Especially when the prediction, according to the 'Thingyan-sar' is not very good.

With metta,

Warazein

Dear U Warazein,

Whenever I type the name "warazein" I see in my mind's eye Sakka, King of the Tavatimsa devas holding the "warazein lethnet" (warazein weapon).

I remember that as a young boy I was taught the Setkyi 13 par which started with "Aungtaya shiit kwet Buddha set, .. argadwin ga win win tauk hlet naga set, ... warazein lethnet Thagyar set ... etc."

Anyway, I have 13 tapes of the Phahtana lectures given by the Mahagandhayone Sayadaw from Amarapura and also the CD version of these lectures. No matter how many times I listen to these lectures, there is always something new to learn. I also have the Abhidhamma Thingyo book written by U Pho Sa donated to our family by his children. I also attended the lectures given by U Ant Maung and another Saya at the Myitzathuka on University Avenue many years ago. So Pahtana is a lifelong study for me. No matter how much I drink from this well of knowledge and wisdom, my thirst can never be quenched.

Now to the discussion.

Let me give you an analogy of how the thinking of leaders can be changed. It can be done but must be done at the strategic level where the impact can be the greatest.

I am not going to spell out how it should be done in this public forum.

However, consider the story of how Theravada Buddhism came to be established in Myanmar. Theravada Buddhism was brought to Bagan by Shin Arahan and he did this by getting the King on his side by preaching the Dhamma to the King.

Another example. How did Christianity come to Rome. It took many years and a lot of sacrifices by the early christians who were burnt at the stake, tortured etc. Now take a look at where the Pope is established - yes in Rome, in Vatican City.

My point is that changing the mind is much more effective.

So who are the agents of change?

My answer: Everyone and Anyone

Any body can be a change agent. It can be done through education, face-to-face talks, discussions in the teashop, at the Ahlu, any where as long as the time is appropriate. (Kala, desa and payawga - time, place and external factors).

I am not saying that all of us must try to engage at the highest level. No. That's not what I am saying.

All of us must try to engage any one from the government officials, the street vendors, the taxi driver, army officials etc. and talk about the need for establising a modern economy and a representative form of government. It does not matter which party gets the power as long as it is committed to serve the people and not the other way round.

As you know, I have always talked about "Reconciliation" - the RPD process.

Reconciliation, Peace and Development.

I am not talking only about reconciliation between the government and political parties.

I am talking about reconciliation at all levels.

To get the other guy to change his way of thinking first of all you have to be on talking terms with that person. He will never listen to what we have to say when all we do is hurl abuse, after abuse after abuse. This goes for both sides of the political divide.

My concluding phrase:

A nation divided cannot stand for long. So without Unity there cannot be progress.

Best regards,

Kyaw Myaing

Dear U Kyaw Myaing,

I have no qualms about the need to change the mindset of those in power. You know quite well how 'power corrupts' and it's not in abstract.

When one of our colleagues joined the OTS we bade him farewell and in his farewell speech he said 'you join the army not for the love of the country but for yourself'. The reason being 'it's a lifetime employment'. One could unfortunately be wounded in a battle but one can still be an OSD somewhere.

I was brought up to be 'truthful'; not tarnishing my ancestors in more important than accumulation of wealth by any means fair or foul. For that upbringing I got into trouble with my superiors many times. I'm sure you know that. When I started in the service I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Uncle (by the way how is he?) whom taught me what 'integrity' means and many other things.

You have to realise that the country now is not govern by people like him. Whether you look at the long term interests for the country or the people, there's none. Not because our country is scarce in its natural resources that greed has overcome them it's just 'unbridled greed in its raw form'.

You must know when we asked the Isarelis expert to help us in cultivation our land for the veterans they told us that we don't need their help when things can grow by just dropping the seeds. We have to help ourselves.

With what they have gained from that greed where can they spend it anyway. I wouldn't dream about trading my humble life here with their in their so-called Naypyidaw. I know some of my relatives didin't even have a 'peaceful meal' when they were 'serving the country'.

Education is the 'silver bullet' for uplifting a society from poverty. We'll have to find a way to do that.

We could have relied on Sayadaws who are, in respect of the positions they hold in our society, should be able to change the minds of those who are in power. Unless we have Sayadaws who like Thigazar Sayadaw said, 'are more keen on wethar-hsi-pyan than humble chinbaung.'

We should think about this seriously.

Regards,

Warazein


PS Try this book, "The Abhidhammatta Sangaha" of Acayriya Anurudda - A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma, Buddhist Publications Society, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Dear U Kyaw Myaing,

I have no qualms about the need to change the mindset of those in power. You know quite well how 'power corrupts' and it's not in abstract.

When one of our colleagues joined the OTS we bade him farewell and in his farewell speech he said 'you join the army not for the love of the country but for yourself'. The reason being 'it's a lifetime employment'. One could unfortunately be wounded in a battle but one can still be an OSD somewhere.

I was brought up to be 'truthful'; not tarnishing my ancestors in more important than accumulation of wealth by any means fair or foul. For that upbringing I got into trouble with my superiors many times. I'm sure you know that. When I started in the service I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Uncle (by the way how is he?) whom taught me what 'integrity' means and many other things.

You have to realise that the country now is not govern by people like him. Whether you look at the long term interests for the country or the people, there's none. Not because our country is scarce in its natural resources that greed has overcome them it's just 'unbridled greed in its raw form'.

You must know when we asked the Isarelis expert to help us in cultivation our land for the veterans they told us that we don't need their help when things can grow by just dropping the seeds. We have to help ourselves.

With what they have gained from that greed where can they spend it anyway. I wouldn't dream about trading my humble life here with their in their so-called Naypyidaw. I know some of my relatives didin't even have a 'peaceful meal' when they were 'serving the country'.

Education is the 'silver bullet' for uplifting a society from poverty. We'll have to find a way to do that.

We could have relied on Sayadaws who are, in respect of the positions they hold in our society, should be able to change the minds of those who are in power. Unless we have Sayadaws who like Thigazar Sayadaw said, 'are more keen on wethar-hsi-pyan than humble chinbaung.'

We should think about this seriously.

Regards,

Warazein


PS Try this book, "The Abhidhammatta Sangaha" of Acayriya Anurudda - A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma, Buddhist Publications Society, Kandy, Sri Lanka.