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.