Abhidhamma is a high sounding word and in Myanmar, most teachers have made this subject more difficult than it should be. True, this sermon was given to the devas in the deva plane. Devas are celestial beings. The christian equivalent for the word devas would be angels.
Anyway, the reason I became interested in Abhidhamma is because it taught me many things about how the human mind works. It taught be about the mind-body connection (to use a phase used by Deepak Chopra).
The essence of Abhidhamma is about Mind and Matter.
As a young boy when I was in high school, I was interested in the study of Physics. I used to memorize the definition for physics: "physics is the study of matter and the effects of energy on matter."
Well in Abhidhamma, we get to study more about the mind and more about matter.
The Buddha explained about how the mind works not only in the human plane but in all planes of existence, that is, all the 31 planes of existence.
So if you are interested to know more about how your mind works, you have come to the right place.
Welcome. Let the journey begin.
Km
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Mangala Pyi - the concept
I thought about this concept as I was reading a book about the Mangala sutta by Sayagyi U Kyaw Htut (he was editor-in-chief of the Board of Myanmar Translation of the Sixth International Buddhist Synod Pali Texts).
The name of the book is "A Guide to Mangala Sutta". This book was translated by Daw Mya Tin (wife of U Ba Htay, who was at one time Chairman of the Elections Commission). Daw Mya Tin served as Head of the History Department at the Institute of Education.
In the preface of that book on page xi it was written as follows:
“ Thus within this narrow compass of eleven short stanzas, the Buddha had condensed all moral virtues into thirty-eight rules or modes of conduct. If these Mangala rules are obeyed or adhered to, one can become a good son, a good parent, a good citizen, a good administrator or even an ideal head of state. These Managla rules are therefore very important in the making of a nation of good citizens, and in the building of an ideal State, or a Mangala Country.”
From this name Mangala Country, I thought it would be a good idea to promote the idea of establishing a "Managla Pyi" in Burma/Myanmar. I use the name Burma because that was the name of the country when we got our independence. It is only for the sake of historical correctness and not for any political reason.
By calling Myanmar a Mangala Pyi we can avoid getting into the political arguments. In a blog that is devoted to the Study of Abhidhamma, it is wise to concentrate on Abhidhamma and nothing else.
The point I am trying to make in the short blog is to say that it will be beneficial for all Buddhists in our country to follow the teachings of the Buddha and study the Mangala Sutta as well as the Abhidhamma pitaka.
This I believe will lay a firm foundation for the establishment of a "Managla Pyi" in Myanmar.
The name of the book is "A Guide to Mangala Sutta". This book was translated by Daw Mya Tin (wife of U Ba Htay, who was at one time Chairman of the Elections Commission). Daw Mya Tin served as Head of the History Department at the Institute of Education.
In the preface of that book on page xi it was written as follows:
“ Thus within this narrow compass of eleven short stanzas, the Buddha had condensed all moral virtues into thirty-eight rules or modes of conduct. If these Mangala rules are obeyed or adhered to, one can become a good son, a good parent, a good citizen, a good administrator or even an ideal head of state. These Managla rules are therefore very important in the making of a nation of good citizens, and in the building of an ideal State, or a Mangala Country.”
From this name Mangala Country, I thought it would be a good idea to promote the idea of establishing a "Managla Pyi" in Burma/Myanmar. I use the name Burma because that was the name of the country when we got our independence. It is only for the sake of historical correctness and not for any political reason.
By calling Myanmar a Mangala Pyi we can avoid getting into the political arguments. In a blog that is devoted to the Study of Abhidhamma, it is wise to concentrate on Abhidhamma and nothing else.
The point I am trying to make in the short blog is to say that it will be beneficial for all Buddhists in our country to follow the teachings of the Buddha and study the Mangala Sutta as well as the Abhidhamma pitaka.
This I believe will lay a firm foundation for the establishment of a "Managla Pyi" in Myanmar.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Formation of ASA - Abhidhamma Study Association
Dear dhamma friends,
I have the honor to inform all my dhamma friends that there is an association in Myanmar called the "International Institute of Abhidhamma". It aim of this institute is to promote the Abhidhamma in Myanmar and all over the world.
The Chairman of the Administrative Committee is U Mya Than, who has served as Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations Offices in Geneva. U Mya Than and I joined the Burma Foreign Service on the same day. (when we joined the foreign service, the name of the country was still Burma). He is also Pro-Rector of the Institute.
In May 2008, I went to Myanmar to volunteer in the relief and rehabilitation work after the disastrous cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar. At that time I had the opportunity to meet my old friend U Mya Than and he asked me to join his noble work of promoting the Abhidhamma in foreign countries. As I was running a company called "Global ICT Systems Inc., USA", he wanted me to help out in the creation of a website for his Institute. He and I discussed at length ways and means of implementing the noble aims
of his institute. I told him that in this internet age, it was possible to reach out to anyone who is connected to the internet 24/7, this means everyday and 24 hours every day. He agreed and thereby decided to appoint me as Chairman of the Chapter for New York and New Jersey.
This is the reason I have started this blog today.
As most of my friend know, I reached the ripe old age of 64 this year and of course I am aware of the limited time I have. So I decided to do whatever I can for the promotion of Abhidhamma specifically and Buddha Dhamma in general.
My idea of forming the ASA - Abhidhamma Study Association is to gather interested people (not only Myanmar people but every one - people from other belief systems)for the sole purpose of studying Abhidhamma.
How will we do this?
- we will meet and discuss.
- we will meet at various houses of members (at their invitation) for the recitation of Abhidhamma and the discussion of Abhidhamma.
- we will also discuss how to make hard copies, books and CDs for the promotion of Abhidhamma.
- we will also discuss fund raising activities.
- in all these efforts we will be supported by IIA - International Institute of Abhidhamma.
Metta to all.
May all beings be healthy and well.
Kyaw Myaing
Address of IIA
Branch Office (II) Sadhukari Dhammaryone,
No. 295-297, Bo Aung Kyaw Street,
Yangon, Myanmar
Tel: 254102
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