Some postings done by me and U Paw in 2001

Here is one by U Paw a very well respected netcitizen (a citizen of the world who lives on the internet and the WWW).

What he said back then are as relevant today as back then in 2001.

Kyaw Myaing

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Posted by Maung H. Paw on 11/10/2001, 4:56 pm
Dear Friends:
We as an underdeveloped Nation must embrace and choose lawful and peaceful exchange of ideas and civil disagreement over threat, vengeance, force, subversion and chaos. Until and unless we can channel our energy to the peaceful and democratic means this nation cannot stand tall among the family of Nations. We all must unite and rally around one flag through reconciliation for the love of this Nation. We must commit to this common cause, in building a dream Nation, we love.These commitments -- hope and order, law and life -- unite people across ethnicity and cultures. Upon these commitments depend all peace and progress. For these commitments we must be determined and resolute to implementation. It is the responsibility of each and every one of Myanmars, young and old, strong and weak, majority and minority, inside and outside. Get rid of hatreds, anger and vengeance and build love and compassion for the sake of development and progress of the Nation.
Our leaders should stop harbouring hatred, anger and vengeance. Power sharing in phases may be the way to go and to do that we cannot be greedy by holding on to the selfish attitude like: to grab all or nothing. Build the spirit of cooperation and reconciliation; together we can build a great Nation. We could unite and resolute in opposing the thread of separation and division because this nation could be great again. This is a good cause, let our compassion, love of the nation, lead us the way to civil disagreement, consent and dissent, and to greater freedom and democracy. This auspicious nation of Myanmar could emerge once again in the dawn of this new millennium.
I could see this Myanmar Nation with its innocent people allowed to live their own lives, by their own customs, under their own faith. And each and every one of us must have avenues for the peaceful expression of opinion and dissent. We shall never close these avenues because when this is closed, the temptation to speak through violence grows.We must press on with our agenda for peace and prosperity in our Myanmar Nation. We each and every one must pledge to promote trade domestic and abroad, to investing in education and combating AIDS and other infectious diseases. We have no other choice if we are committed and resolved to build Myanmar to become a Great Nation. We all have been given a chance to write the story of Myanmar Nation: A story of courage, tolerance, compassion, love and light over the darkness of hatred and vengeance.
Let us come out of the shadow, and let us go forward, confident, determined and unafraid. Best Regards and Metta
Maung H. Paw

The following was my reply in 2001.

Posted by Kyaw Myaing on 11/11/2001, 12:17 am
Dear U Paw,
Thanks for taking a special interest in this National Reconciliation forum and posting many good ideas for the benefit of all.
Our country is a Buddhist country and most of the people have heard of Byamasoe Tayar or "Brahma Vihara". It is called Brahma Vihara because the four types of consciousness namely Metta, Karuna, Mudita and Upekka are the mental states where all the Brahmas keep their mind. That is why they live so long.
For our country to get out of this endless cycle of hatred, mistrust, greed for power, suspicion and lack of confidence in each other, we need to practice the Four Brahma Vihara. By practising the spreading of metta vibrations, by feeling happy when others succeed, by feeling compassion for those who are suffering and by practising the mental state of Upekka or Equanimity, we will be able to achieve reconciliation.
Please invite your friend to join this forum so that we have more people discussing this topic of reconciliation and national reconciliation.
From this forum, I urge all Myanmar citizens to recite the Metta Sutta in every ward, village, township, district and state. The more we send out Metta vibrations, the more we will be able to act as a good catalyst for the success of the "secret talks" taking place between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the SPDC.
There is no time to lose, the time is now. The Myanmar economy is hurting day by day, whether the government admits it or not. The people feel the pain because they have to face the hardships each day.
Hatred never ceases by hatred. Hatred ceases only by love. This is the eternal law.
Regards and metta,
Kyaw Myaing