Dear
Dhamma Friends:
I want to alert all of you to mark October
2, 2011 on your calendar to attend the final Crowning of the Cedis at Sae Taw Win II Dhamma Center in
Sebastopol.
It is an auspicious act as everyone who grew
up in Myanmar knows well and is familiar as we had many occasions to
observe.
This
occurrence is rare in the United States, especially in Northern California
and the Bay Area which you all would surely like to participate and
experience. After the Crowning of Taungpulu
Pagoda in the 1980s at which I had the opportunity to participate actively and
still cherished it, this one is going to be the second time to be exact and
once in a life time kind of event here.
Most
of you know, I have been involved with many Dhamma activities in the States,
since the Taungpulu Sayadaw first came to United States
in 1978 when I was ordained as a monk, followed by Mahasi
Sayadaw and later my total support and commitment to Sayadaw U Silananda’s mission of spreading the Dhamma in the States
for the Burmese community here and the American Buddhists alike.
Then I was going to take it easy and not take
on any further activities.
But
when Dr. Thynn Thynn requested me to serve on the
Board of Sae Taw Win II Dhamma Center, I could not refuse, because I feel
strongly Dr. Thynn Thynn has been doing very
important work in the most effective manner. I remember Sayadaw U Silananda once related to me a story about the answer to a
question, “If and when Buddhism is considered to be established and rooted in a
foreign land.” The answer, of course, is when the locals in that foreign
land begin to practice meditations and accept the teachings of the
Buddha.
This
is the area where Dr. Thynn Thynn had been
contributing the most by teaching the Americans in the most efficient and
innovative ways. So I would like to welcome you to come and participate
at this special and rare occasion to have a unique and fulfilling experience
and at the same time support and recognize her, for her marvelous
activities.
With
metta,
U
Tin-Wa