Sunday, December 17, 2006
Saturday, December 16, 2006
One of the Oldies.
Yin Ye
First Founded in 1992,
To provide Curriculum Education
For 82 Students
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Towards A Modernized Monastic Education
Education is the basis for development in every family and society. With this in mind, in 1992 we established a monastic school in our village, Yin Ye, in
Our objectives are:
- To promote basic education of our underprivileged children, and
- To introduce the Teachings of the Buddha to them.
We provide the students from the village and neighboring villages with the opportunity to learn how to read, write, and calculate exactly as taught in government primary schools; additionally we introduce the Teachings of the Buddha to the children.
The school is meant to rely on public support. Until now the only supporters of the school are the villagers. Some of them (especially the parents of the students) can donate only a small amount, the so-called “monthly fee,” which is not more than 500 to 1000 Myanmar Kyat (less than US $1), to cover teachers’ salaries and ongoing school construction. Some parents are so poor that they cannot afford to pay any fees for their children. As a result, the poorest children often consider leaving the school, and we have to encourage them to stay. If we can gather sufficient funds, students will be offered a free education and the capacity of the school will be expanded. We hope that the school will become a “free education center for children,” but this wish cannot be accomplished without the support of donations from around the country and around the world.
We believe that the surplus of the rich may be put to use for the benefit of the poor and needy. You may have heard the following story: Once a young student removed the door-curtain to his house and gave it to a poor person, telling his mother “the door does not feel the cold but the poor certainly do.” Such a kind heart is highly commendable.
If you are willing to help the underprivileged children studying at the school, please contact our representatives in your region, or you may get in touch with the school’s supporting groups. You may come to us directly to offer either aid or helpful ideas for the betterment of the school. Donations in any amount or suggestions for improvement will have a great impact on these children in need, and will surely change their life for the better.
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2. A Brief History of the School
4. Special Events for the Students
4: 1 Meditation and Education for the Students
5: 1 Advisors' Committee
5: 2 Yin Ye Monastic School Supporting Association
5: 3 Yin Ye Monastic School Volunteers' Committee
6. Donations Received
7. Future Plan
8. Contacts
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1. About the Village
Name and Place
It is called "Yin Ye Village". And it is situated in Dapeyin Township, Sagaing Division, Upper Myanmar, South-east Asia. It is about two miles east to the Mandalay-MonYwa-Bhudhalin-Dapeyin-YayOo High way, and 119 miles north-west to Mandalay.
Population and occupation
According to the record of the 25th November of 2006, it has a population of 660 who are 300 male and 360 female. It has 156 families out of which 116 are farmers and 40 are daily wage earners.
Education
All the villagers have received their basic education under the formal system of the current monastic school or informally from previous monastic schools. All of the villagers are literate with the exception of a few seniors who are now over 80.
None of the 660 villagers has yet received a college degree. Five students are currently studying for their B.A. and B.Sc. degrees, while fifteen students are attending the nearest high school in Sai Byin Village. Many students have had to discontinue their studies due to their responsibilities to help their parents on their farms.
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2. A Brief History of the School
Traditionally, Myanmar monks have had to participate in the country’s social affairs in addition to their religious duties. Monks were especially involved with education, particularly in rural areas.
Until 1973 when the Myanmar government instituted primary schooling in neighboring villages, all the people in the region were educated informally at their respective village monasteries. Following the model of his senior monks, Sayadaw U Ghosita offered traditional monastic schooling to the villagers of Yin Ye for nearly 20 years. In 1973 when the government’s primary school was constructed in the village of Tha Beik Le, next to Yin Ye, the Sayadaw had the opportunity to retire from teaching and focus on his religious duties, since his students could attend the government school. However, 8 years later he had to resume his teaching career because the government school could not accommodate the increasing number of students from both villages. From 1980 to 1992 Sayadaw U Ghosita again offered informal education to the young villagers.
In 1992 he and his pupil Ashin Acara jointly founded the present school, which offers formal education conforming to national educational standards. The founders are working to modernize the system of education at their school.
Currently 102 students from Yin Ye and neighboring villages are educated at the school. The staff consists of three local teachers and one visiting drawing instructor from Sai Byin Gyi village. For the past 15 years the school has provided the villagers with not only curriculum education but also a strong religious foundation and awareness of social development and unity, which are essential supports for national progress.
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Born : He was born in Yin Ye Village, Dapayin Township, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (1934).
Education : Primary Education_ Monastic
He was educated at Yin Ye Monastery (from1940 to 1948).
: Basic Buddhist Education_ Pathamagyi
He was educated at Shwe Gu Pali University in Monywa (from 1948 to 1957).
Mission : He has become abbot of the village monastery, Yin Ye Monastery and has led the village's social, educational and religious affairs (since 1957).
: He jointly founded the school, Yin Ye Monastic School with Ashin Acara, his pupil (1992).
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Born : He was born in Yin Ye Village, Dapayin Township, Sagaing Division, Myanmar (1972).
Education : Primary Education_ Secular and Monastic
He was educated at Yin Ye Monastery (from 1977 to 1980, and from 1983 to 1986 again),
at Tha Beik Le Primary School in a neighboring village (from 1980 to 1983);
: Basic Buddhist Education_ Pathamagyi
at Shwe Gu Pali University in Monywa (from 1986 to 1991),
at Ma-soe-yein Monastic Institution in Mandalay (from 1991 to 1993),
: Higher Buddhist Education_ B.A., Buddhism and M. A., Buddhism
at State Pariyatti Sasana University in Mandalay (from 1993 to 2000),
: Higher Secular Education_ B.A., English
Monywa University (Distance Education) (from 2000 to 2004).
Mission : He jointly founded the school, Yin Ye Monastic School with U Ghosita, his preceptor (1992).
: He's paying service to the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University, Yangon, Myanmar as a tutor of Vinaya Department, compiling his thesis and doing research works for his thesis for the degree of Ph. D., B.Dh. (from 2001 until now).
: He's paying occasional visits to his school in the village, at least once a month (from 1992 until now).
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4. Special Events for the Students
4: 1 Meditation and Education for the Students
The Yin Ye Monastic School held its first annual event entitled “Meditation and Education for Students” from the 22nd to the 26th of April, 2006. The school’s Supporting Association and Volunteer Committee organized the event. The aim of the event was to help the students enjoy a taste of Buddhist meditation, to train them to be intelligent public speakers, to encourage their sense of community, and to have fun. A total of 200 students, including some students from neighboring schools, participated in the event.
Ashin Acara and four monks from the village gave meditation instruction, lessons on Buddhism, and Dhamma talks to the students. U Aung Min, the headmaster of the school, YYMS assistant teachers U Win Min Htay and U Zaw Myo Khaing, and U Thar Aung, a headmaster from a neighboring school, led other sections of the event.
The event schedule was as follows:
Time Table for the Event
5: 00 am - Morning Chant
5: 30 am - Environmental Hygiene
6: 00 am - Breakfast
6: 30 am - Lessons on Buddhism
7: 30 am - Happy Learning: Educational Games
8: 30 am - Meditation: Breathing in and out
9: 00 am - Personal Hygiene
10: 00 am - Meditation: Breathing in and out
10: 30 am - Lunch
11: 00 am - Rest
1: 00 pm - Lesson on Buddhism
2: 00 pm - Happy Learning: Educational Games
3: 00 pm - Meditation: Breathing in and out
3: 30 pm - Creative Talk
4: 30 pm - Dinner
5: 00 pm - Happy Learning: Educational Games
6: 00 pm - Personal Hygiene
7: 00 pm - Dhamma Talk
8: 00 pm - Evening Chant
Time interval of each section is 5 to 10 minutes.
During the event, the three sections “Meditation,” “Educational Games,” and “Creative Debate,” were particularly significant.
Meditation Section: This was the first exposure to basic meditation for many of the students. They expressed great interest in a subject that might otherwise be considered “unfamiliar” or too “difficult” for them.
Educational Games: This included three subsections, namely: “Mental Repetition and Verbal Recitation,” “Looking and List,” and “Quick Reply.” In the first subsection, students had to memorize and repeat words and numbers spoken by a teacher. In the second subsection, students were asked to memorize a collection of things lying on a table and write a list of the contents from memory. In the third subsection, students had to give verbal quick replies to questions based on animate and inanimate things in their environment and on subjects they had learned.
Creative Debate: In this section, students were asked to form two groups and participate in creative debate. Members of the two groups had to debate such questions as “Which is better, a well or a lake?,” “Who is better, a monk or a novice?,” “Which palm is better, toddy or coconut?,” The students were encouraged to creatively argue and defend their positions.
And in other sections as well, the students proved their abilities and enthusiasm. The event was beneficial to the students and they are eager to participate again in a similar event.
We hope to organize a similar event during the coming summer holidays. The organizers hope to extend the period of the even from five to seven days, and they hope to collect sufficient donations for this purpose. Donations of food, water, and electric generators are urgently needed. The daily cost breakdown is as follows:
Electricity 10,000 Kyat (approx. US $10)
Water Supply 5,000 Kyat (approx. US $5)
Food 200,000 Kyat (approx US $200)
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On October 7, 2006, YYMS held the “Myanmar Culture” drawing competition, an annual creative competition for students. The aim of the event was to stimulate the creativity of students and foster their appreciation of their cultural heritage.
There were three competition groups, comprising students from the Second, Third, and Forth Standards, respectively. Entries were received from 2 students in the Second Standard, 12 students in the Third Standard, and 5 students from the Fourth Standard.
In the Fourth Standard group, Zaw Myo Tun won first prize for his drawing “Water Festival.” Win Moe Kyaw won second prize for his piece “Thamane Festival,” and Htar Htar Win won third prize for her drawing “Water Festival.”
In the competition of the Third Standard, Hnin Hmone won first prize for her drawing "Time for Alms Gathering", Chit Min Thu won the second prize for his drawing "Kathina Festival" and Aye Myat Thu won the third prize for her drawing "Pagoda at the Head of Village."
In the competition of the Second Standard, Aung Kyi Swe and Moe Min Htet won the first and second prizes respectively for their drawings under the same title "Well."
And the rest 11 students received consoling prizes for their drawings.
And for their creative work to represent Myanmar Culture the other 11 students received consolation prizes of exercise books, pens, pencils, and drawing materials. In the future, any donations of prizes from well-wishers will be presented to the students with appreciation.
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Some other educational events, such as essay writing and poetry recitation competitions, are also occasionally held for the students. All of the events at the school help to stimulate the students’ artistic creativity and sense of social unity.
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5: 1 Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee consists of six monks from the village. The Sayadaws who founded the school requested the formation of the Advisory Committee, which supervises the general affairs of the school. The committee members and their address are arranged as followed according to the seniority.
Chief Advisor = U Nandisena, Khelai Monastic Instruction, Pyin Oo Lwin
Senior Advisor = U Jatila, Daw Nan Kyi Hill Monastry, Mogok
Junior Advisor 1 = U Sasana, Dhamma Light Monastic Institution, Mandalay
Junior Advisor 2 = U Pandicca, Mingin Monastry, Mandalay
Junior Advisor 3 = U Vicitta, Danbin Monastery, Danbin Villave, Depayin Twonship, Sagaing Division
Junior Advisor 4 = U Theravamsa, Mogaung Monastic Institution, Mandalay
5: 2 Yin Ye Monastic School Supporting Association
The Yin Ye Monastic School Supporting Association was organized in accordance with the country’s bylaws, and operates under the supervision of the founding Sayadaws. The Supporting Association has ten members, 5 from the villages and 5 from Monywa, Mandalay, Magway, and Yangon.Members and their positions in the association are as follows.
Chairman - U Nyein Aung, Ledi Quarter, Monywa
Vice Chairman - U Kan Kyunt, Yin Ye Village
Secretary 1 - U Aung Myit, Head of the Village, Yin Ye Village
Secretary 2 - U Ko Ko Aung, Mayangone Twonship, Yangon
Member 1 - U Hla Saung, Aung Thukha Quarter, Kyatpin, Mogok
Member 2 - Daw Swe Swe Win, Chan Aye Thar Zan, Mandalay
Member 3 - U Win Naing, Pwekyo Quarter, Magway
Member 4 - U Myint Tun, Yin Ye Village
Member 5 - U Than Htay, Yin Ye Village
Member 6 - U Nyunt Shwe, Yin Ye Village
The sole objective of the Association is to support the school by managing the donations collected.
The Association distributed monetary donations and material support for the school’s construction and education funds. 40% of the total monetary donations contribute to the construction fund, which includes both building and furniture costs. The remaining 60% goes toward the education fund, which covers education costs such as teacher’s salaries. The education fund is also used to support educational events and purchase books, pens, paper, and other study and artistic materials for the students. And the monetary donations are also to be used according to the will of donors.
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5: 3 Yin Ye Monastic School Volunteers' Committee
The Volunteer Committee consists of alumni of the school and the village monastery. It provides voluntary services that assist in the administration of the school. There are no permanent members of the Committee; volunteer members are admitted as necessary depending on the tasks to be carried out.
The sole objective of the committee is “to contribute to the success of any activity of the school.”
6. Donation Received
Until the early months of 2006, the school had relied only upon the support of the local villagers. Donations and support from different regions have since been welcomed to help cover the school’s operating costs, which continue to increase. The cord of accepted donations is as followed.
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Dhammadhuta Ashin Chekinda (Theravada University, Yangon) donated 300, 000 kyats as fund for the school's event (4. 4. 2006).
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Dhammadhuta Ashin Chekinda, (Theravada University, Yangon) donated 300, 000 kyats as fund for the teachers’ salary (4. 8. 2006).
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Kyan Daing Aung, a Dhammacakka Recitation Group (Shwepyithar, Yangon) donated 7 dozens of books, 2 dozens of pencils and 20 pens (2. 11. 2006).
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Youths from "Nyein Cafe" (Shwepyithar, Yangon) donated 3, 910 Kyats as fund for the teachers' salary (2.11.06).
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Mathanda Oo (Theravada Post Office, Mayangon, Yangon) donated 5,000 Kyats as fund for the teachers' salary (21.11.06).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Masanda Oo (Theravada Post Office, Mayangon, Yangon) djonated 5,000 Kyats as fund for the teachers' salary (21.11.06).
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Ko Kyaw Soe and Friends (Sydney, Australia) donated 3, 55, 200 Kyats as fund for the teachers' salary (8.12.06).
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Dr. Aye Kyaw (Abhidhamma Propagoation Association, Yangon) donated 70, 000 Kyats as fund for fund for library (20.1.07).
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Ashin Varanana (Theravada University, Yangon) donated 6, 500 Kyats as fund for fund for library (24.1.07).
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Each and every donation has been really supportive to the needy. May the donors be rejoiced in their generous gifts well given.
Upgrade: The school founders are willing to expand the present basic education capacity of the school, and to develop a Middle and High School, which will offer free education to students from the village and neighboring 13 villages. In the future, they would like to also establish a Monastic Institution that will provide a traditional monastic education alongside a secular education, focusing in particular upon English and mathematics, to the nation’s novices between the ages of 11 to 15. This institution will also teach Buddhist Abhidhamma and Pali language to international students. While insufficient funding makes this plan at present little more than the common dream of the school founders and members of the supporting groups, it is hoped that the kind donations of concerned individuals will help make it a reality.
Library: A school library will be established in the near future. Over 3,000 books have been collected to date.
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8. Contacts
Myanmar Contacts
Yangon
Ven. ÒcÈra
Room (201), Men's Hostel (A)
International TheravÈda Buddhist Missionary, Mayangone, Yangon,
Ph: (01) 650 719; E-mail: ven.acara@gmail.com
U Ko Ko Aung
51 (A), Malikha Street, Mayangone; Ph: 09-5012537
Mandalay
Daw Swe Swe Win, Daw Aye Mi San
Say Nyein Su Store, 32, 80 + 81 Streets; Ph: (02) 68554
Mon Ywa
U Nyein Aung
Nyein Chan Yay Textile Mill, Ledi Quarter; Ph: (071) 25283 and 23273
Singapore Contact
Ko Wai Yan Lin
HP – 90030132; Home Phone – 66187643; Email: waiyanlin@gmail.com
Australia Contact
Ko Kyaw Soe,
E-mail: kso94817@bigpond.net.au
Poland Contact
Ma San Thida
E-mail: masanthida@interia.pl
UK Contact
Ko Kyaw Thu
E-mail: getkyaw@gmail.com
US Contact
Mr. Dietrich Christian Lammerts
640 Stewart Avenue, Ithaca, NY 14850 USA
E-mil: DCL33@cornell.edu; Home Page: www.people.cornell.edu/pages/dcl33
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