Ma Eaint Chit Thu (Grade 9)
My name is Ma Eaint Chit Thu. I live in Nyaungphyu Sakham Ward, Taunggyi, southern Shan State. There are five people in my family: my father, mother, elder brother, younger sister, and me. During my school days, I received an outstanding student award in Grade 6, an Essay Award in Grade 8, and awards for poetry that I personally composed, reaching both township and state levels. I attended No 12 Basic Education Middle School for primary education and No 10 Basic Education High School for middle school. I regularly read at the school library.
As I am smart at the religious training and Dhamma school course, Sayadaw urged me to participate in the Buddhawun competition. I learnt during my summer holidays to take part in, and also want to know the Dhamma of Buddha more deeply. I first studied the six volumes and eight books of the Maha Buddhawun compiled by Mingun Sayadaw. From there, I continued studying eight major sections, including basic culture, the histories of the Twenty-Eight Buddhas, the Dhammapada and the 550 Jataka stories, basic Abhidhamma, basic meditation, the history of Theravada Buddhism, the Aetadabwe Hterima, disciples and lay devotees, and explanations of Pali terms and meanings. To be able to successfully answer like this, I studied continuously throughout the 75-day summer holiday. I spent entire days studying and reviewed my lessons again in the mornings and evenings. Since the subject matter concerned the Buddha’s teachings, I felt great spiritual satisfaction while studying. One of my fondest memories was preparing for the competition together with friends, like paying homage to the Buddha, reciting Patthana, reading together, asking each other questions, and even staying together. These experiences remain warm and joyful memories.
At the township-level competition, I ranked first among 100 participants and advanced to the state level. At the state level, I was selected as the best performer among the top 15 contestants and qualified for the central-level competition. The prize I received was the first prize at the 12th Nationwide Thuta Sonelin Buddhawun after I had successfully answered all ten difficult questions.
Representing my state as a Buddhist contestant filled me with immense pride and happiness. Above all, I was overjoyed to have the opportunity to offer my knowledge through the study and recitation of the Buddha’s teachings. As the competition progressed through each stage, the questions became more difficult. My success was made possible through the guidance and support of my teachers. The encouragement of my parents and friends strengthened my determination. Sayadaw also supported me with my health. Whenever my studies became overwhelming, I took a short break, paid homage, counted the beads, and then returned to my lessons. Doing so helped me remember what I had studied more effectively.
One of the questions that played a key role in my winning first prize asked how many Buddhas there were from Dipankara Buddha to Sobhta Buddha, and I had to think carefully. As I recalled the Twenty-Eight Buddhas and gave my answer, hearing that it was correct made my heart race with excitement and joy.
I would especially like to pay my deepest respects and gratitude to the Chairman Sayadaw, who organized the competition, the monks and laypersons involved, my teachers who taught me Buddhist literature, my parents who constantly encouraged me, and every individual who supported me along the way.
Finally, I would like to share a message for my younger generation. As Buddhist youths, it is not enough merely to inherit Buddhism by tradition. We should personally understand and embrace our faith, study the Buddha’s teachings deeply, cherish and value our religion, and become responsible young people who preserve and protect our race, religion, and Sasana. There is no shade cooler than the shade of the Buddha. May every good Buddhist cherish and uphold the Sasana, and may each of us contribute in our own way to enhancing the dignity and honour of our nation. — Thitsa (MNA)/KTZH
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