"Before a baby has learned to stand, he tries and tries to stand up. Because he can't yet keep his balance, he falls back down on his bottom. He stands back up. He falls back down. He stands back up. He falls back down. Because of all the times he has stood up again and all the times he as fallen down again, he becomes fully able to stand up. When he can get up and stay standing he tries moving his left foot, then his right foot. He topples over. He stands back up and tries to walk. He topples back down. He tries to walk again. Because the baby doesn't slacken his determination, finally he becomes able to get around, too."

Those are the words of inspiration which Sayadaw gave to the monks under his tutelage. These were the monks studying English. During his time as guiding teacher at the Mahasi Sâsana Yeiktha, he raised a number of students to be mature monks with the two mature aspects of study of the Tipitaka (the Pâli Canon) and the practice of meditation. To become a qualified a Tipitaka scholar, one would have to pass the government Dhammâcariya examination. To become a qualified in practice, on the other hand, based in a strong practice of sîla (morality), one would have to practice Satipatthana until one is inspired and satisfied in the practice. Then, the monks under Sayadaw's tutelage had to carry out their responsibilities without hoping for opportunities in Sayadaw's altruistic enterprises. Sayadaw does not yet accept one as a student even after passing the government Dhammâcariya exam and practicing meditation. Sayadaw still has to study his character. Sayadaw asks all kinds of questions. These are questions to test his character: his disposition, his discerning wisdom, his allegiance to the Sâsana, his dedication to the benefit of others, his ability to endure hardship, his renunciation of his own benefit, and so on. Only if Sayadaw is satisfied with the answers to his questions does he accept the student. Once he has accepted them, Sayadaw gives the students some trial responsibilities and sees how they handle them. Only after studying and testing a student from many angles does he trust him enough to put him to work.

The author's was the first group of young monks under Sayadaw's tutelage to study English. Sayadaw inspired and exhorted us to strive in our studies with the above saying as well as others. Our teachers were skilled, too. There were some quite famous as English teachers. Of those young monks who studied English, some have gone abroad and are  giving Dhamma talks and interviews in English. U Paññathami went to Australia, U Dhammapiya to America, and U Paññobasa to Canada. This group of monks have really been successful in showing the virtues of the Dhamma. U Râjinda, who went to Singapore, and U Âsabâcâra, who went to Nepal, are also proficient in English. Though their English is not yet sufficient to give fluent Dhamma talks, it is quite sufficient to give interviews in English. U Âsabâcâra can also speak and give interviews in Nepalese. Jçyyavatî Sayadaw U Sâsanabadda, in England, U Pa?ñadipâbisa and U Gositâbhivamsa in the United States, and U Sujanappiya in Nepal will also become fluent in English before long.

The are still other monks from that first group studying English who have gone

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