Nay Pyi Taw January 25
Concerted efforts must continue to safeguard race, language, Sasana and education which are the aims of Young Men’s Buddhist Association (YMBA). All Myanmar people must have Myanmar spirit and cherish their own race and country, said Permanent Honorary Patron of the association Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in a meeting with Chairman U Ye Tun, executive committee members and officials of the association in Pazundaung Township, Yangon Region, this afternoon.
Frist, the Senior General arrived at the association office in accompany with Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Tin Aung San, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Maung Maung Kyaw, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief ,Yangon Command Commander Maj-Gen Thet Pon and party. They were welcomed there by Chairman U Ye Tun and EC members. At the meeting hall, Chairman U Ye Tun and EC members reported on the functions of the association and continued efforts for safe-guarding race, language, Sasana and education. The Senior General made discussion and gave advice.
In his discussion, YMBA Permanent Honorary Patron Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said YMBA led independence efforts
and national politics during Myanmar’s independence struggle. In the post-independence period, YMBA have put its energetic efforts into safeguarding race, language, Sasana and education by getting out of political affairs.
In implementing the objectives of the association, to cherish one’s own race means to preserve and safeguard the national characteristics and all Myanmar nationals are required to nurture Myanmar spirit and to love the race and the country. This is especially the case when we face outside pressures at the moment.
To respect one’s own language means to use Myanmar written and spoken language, which is the official language of the country, and to try to avoid errors in orthography. One does not have to think highly
of foreign languages and to be ashamed of using one’s own language. It is necessary to encourage books and literature published in Myanmar language. The Tatmadaw has promoted Myanmar language by publishing the Myawady, the Ngwetaryi and other fictions and nonfictions for ages. It is important to not only to publish books in Myanmar language but also to encourage the public to read more. Reading can expand theoretical knowledge and pragmatical knowledge. As lack of knowledge can lead to stupidity, it is necessary to expand theoretical knowledge and pragmatical knowledge by carrying out tasks that require brainstorming. Nowadays, dependence on computer technology is rising enormously but it is essential to enhance the capacity of human being as technology cannot be relied upon at everywhere.
To promote one’s own religion means to propagate and preserve the religion as well as to honour members of the religious order. Myanamr, Laos, Cambodia, Thai-land and Sri Lanka adopt Theravada Buddhism and these countries are taking measures to preserve and propagate the religion. Our association is responsible for pleasantness and cleanliness of religious edifices. Conducting courses will not enough to preserve the religion and it is necessary to take measures to expand knowledge of people.
With regard to the last point on encouragement to education, it needs to encourage education for emergence of well-versed educated persons to help develop their regions and the country. Seventy percent of population is residing in rural area of Myanmar while 30 percent of people are living in urban area. Number of those emphasizing education is lesser in the rural area. It is necessary to encourage all young people of Myanmar to pass at least middle school education and to learn higher education. And, they must be encouraged to strive for increasing their education learning levels by having actual knowledge.
Aims of the association are interrelated with each other without focusing on a single one. All need to culture the spirit of Myanmar to consider improvement of race, language and education in all aspects. Taking advice from venerable Buddhist abbots, all should work in concert with social organizations so as to maintain victories of the association’s goal.
The Senior General and party cordially greeted Chairman of the association U Ye Tun, members of Central Executive Committee and officials.
