Letter of 15 May 2002 to Master John D. Hughes & Anita, from the Venerable U Narada of Theingi Oo Monastery, Chauk Htat Gyi pagoda Compound, Shwegondaing Road, Bahan, P.O., Yangon Myanmar
Dear John D. Hughes & Anita
'Mingalarbar'
Saying our people's traditional greeting word 'Mingalarbar', I would like to warmly greet you. (Mingalarbar means the auspiciousness and it is a deep meaningful word for greeting each other in our Myanmar society.
Thank you so much for your new Year card of 2002 C. E. On my arrival from a long foreign trip to Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and Lao, I received your greeting card.
Since October 2001, I left for Taiwan to attend a Grand Opening Ceremony if Museum of World Religion at the invitation of Mahayana Buddhist monk who is founder of this Museum and my old friend.
On the way back home, I visited other countries for five months. Therefore I regret for delaying to reply to you.
I could not yet forget our meeting since the WFB conference in Bangkok, 1994. And I hope our friendliness will be existing forever.
(I have no chance to meet you again at the 21st General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists in Bangkok, December 2000. At that time, I was studying a Diploma course of Sanskrit and Indian Culture at Somaiya College in Mumbai (Bombay), India for one year. But on the way back home from India, I had a nice chance to discuss with officers of WFB headquarters in Bangkok.)
At a suitable time, I would like to visit Australia a your kind invitation.
I am now preparing to visit America at the invitation of my friend, a Sri Lankan Monk in Washington. I received his sponsorship letter since 10th September. Due to the 11th September attack, I have to cancel my schedule trip. If possible for visa, I hope to leave for America in June or July. Since 1995, I received steadily your newsletter of Buddha Dhyana Dana Review. Thank you so much for your kindness.
With Metta and Cetana
Venerable U. Narada
P.S.
My current telephone would be changed from Analogue system into digital system and its number is also changed from 551377 to 555377. Therefore you can use my new phone and fax number 95-1-555377 after 15 June.
26 June 2002
Venerable U. Narada
Theingi Oo Monastery
Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda Compound
Shwegondaing Road
Bahan P.O. 5
Yangon, MYANMAR
Dear Venerable Friend in the Dhamma
'Mingalarbar' and thank you for your letter dated 15 May 2002.
Our greetings for your good health, long life and happiness. May you continue your studies and travel with ease. May we continue to meet again and again and again.
I too remember our meeting at the 1994 WFB conference in Bangkok, Thailand and wish to continue our friendship. I look forward to meeting with you at the next conference scheduled to be held in Malaysia, 9-13 December 2002.
We would like to invite you to our Centre but all our suitable accommodation is used up at present. I am now married to a devout Buddhist practitioner of Indian origin, Anita. She has three children, two boys and one girl, who stay with us regularly.
We are awaiting a building permit to build a new kitchen and larger dining room at our Centre. Our next building project will be two separate bedrooms and a new library and meditation hall. An English architect has drawn up the plans for us.
Recently, I finished 3 years and 3 moons of Teaching Prajna Paramitta to my students.
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Yesterday, I commenced teaching Abhidhamma classes. I am using the text: The Essence of Buddha Abhidhamma by Dr. Mehm Tin Mon B.Sc. Hons. (Ygn.) Ph.D. (Illinois, USA), Sadhamma Jotikadhaja, Professor and Head of Department of Chemistry (Rtd.) University of Mawlamyine, Adviser to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Union of Myanmar.
I know your skill and interest in Abhidhamma and ask for your blessings.
These Teachings will last for nine years every Tuesday.
Please visit our 8 Internet web sites. Our web sites hold information about our international and local activities.
Over the last 2 years we have published our Buddha Dhyana Dana Review on Internet at www.bddronline.net.au. We also have the back issues of Buddha Dhyana Dana Review on-line on this web site.
Last week-end, 22 and 23 June 2002, I attended the first Australasian Buddhist Convention 'Pathway to a Peaceful Mind' held in Melbourne. Our websites will contain information about this historical event. Many overseas Buddhist scholars and leaders were present. The conference was a great success.
Please visit our other web sites at:
www.bdcu.org.au
www.bdcublessings.net.au
www.bsbonline.com.au
www.companyontheweb.com/buddhamap
www.companyontheweb.com/buddhatext
www.skybusiness.com/j.d.hughes
www.buyresolved.com.au
Please keep in touch. You can e-mail us at wbu@bdcu.org.au
May you be well and happy.
With Metta
Yours in the Dhamma
John D. Hughes Dip. App. Chem. T.T.T.C. GDAIE
Vice-President, World Fellowship of Buddhists.
Council member, World Buddhist University
Founder, Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.
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