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HIS WORDS
"When you write, you should cite the words of your teachers."
The author received these words of advice from the Shwe Taung Gon Sâsana Yeiktha Sayadaw at the Insight Meditation Center in the town of Barre, Massachusetts during a Dhamma mission to America. That was when I began writing with the pen name 'Thamanay Kyaw'. I wrote a piece called "Twice Beautiful" about a lady yogi named Kamala. I wrote it with that title because, besides being beautiful on the outside, Kamala had a beautiful mind. Sayadaw suggested putting in a poem by benefactor, the Amarapura Mahâgandâyone Sayadaw, at the end of that article. I hadn't thought to put it in. Sayadaw never studied with the Mahâgandâyone Sayadaw. Only Sayadaw's teacher, the Thaketa Pa?ñalinkara Monastery Sayadaw U Paññasiri had studied with the Mahâgandâyone Sayadaw. Although Sayadaw had not studied with him, he been enlightened by the works and wisdom of the Mahâgandâyone Sayadaw, he says. That is why Sayadaw respects the Mahâgandâyone Sayadaw like his own teacher. He really cherishes the Mahâgandâyone Sayadaw's writings. Looking at the advice above, one can see how much he respects and values him.
The poem which Sayadaw wanted me to use that time goes-
"To take a beautiful portrait, you spiff yourself up.
To have a beautiful view in the universal camera, a beautiful mind in a beautiful body, to reach the peaceful palace (nibbâna) observe the mental processes, beautifying yourself daily."
That Sayadaw would tell the author, himself a student of the Mahâgandâyone Sayadaw, to use this poem makes one all the more interested, admiring, and respectful of Sayadaw.
Very often in the world, who ever gains success and renown, whether lay person or monk, starts forgetting to pay respect to those worthy of it. Thinking, "I am intelligent. I am educated. I know just as much as him. I am just as intelligent as him. I am just as educated as him. In fact, I am know even more than him. I am more intelligent and better educated than he," the even begin to look down on people worthy of respect. The author has seen this kind of people among his own associates, and heard others talking about them.
One can see that Sayadaw, on the other hand, respects the Mahâgandâyone Sayadaw and his writings so much that he even respects those, as well, who join him in respecting the Mahâgandâyone Sayadaw and his writings. Sayadaw is so similar, both
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