Playing Matchmaker: Introducing S.N. Goenka to Sayagyi U Ba Khin
Sunda Khin, daughter of U Chan Htoon, offers a firsthand account of Burma's history. Growing up in privileged circles, she provides insights into significant figures and events. Her narratives blend personal anecdotes with broader contexts, shedding light on Burma's luminaries and their roles. Sunda Khin's memories offer a unique lens into her country's past, reflecting her family's connections with key figures like Sao Shwe Thaik and S.N. Goenka, while encapsulating the intricate tapestry of Burma's transformation.
“I was very surprised later on when Mr. Goenka became a Buddhist leader and that he gained so much from U Ba Khin’s Meditation Center.”
“I remember him; he was fair skinned, and he was a young businessman, who was very attractive, and then we spoke, things like that. He would come to the house; my father and my mother welcomed him in Buddhist tradition, in the Burmese way, would welcome him. And he would bring his gifts on a tray, I want to say sweet meats kind of thing, very pleasant. I also remember that my father saying to him, ‘You know, we have so many different ways of meditation centers here; why don't you try?’ I don't think my father really knew, ‘Oh, if you go to U Ba Khin’s, his is the only one that will help you.’ I don't think there was that. He just said, ‘Why don't you try U B Khin’s? Because I have a feeling that you, because if you have concentration, this migraine would go away.’ Not scientific, but why don't you try?
At that time, we also had other meditation centers. As I told you, Mahāsī was one. Mahāsī was very big. My mother went to meditate there also, afterwards. Goenka, that was earlier years. My mother didn't go to U Ba Khin’s, but always went to this one. And I wondered, why she didn't go? U Ba Khin’s were supposedly, from what I hear, very strict. The other meditation over at the other monastery was good, but many of the cabinet wives and many of my mother's friends went there. I know also the later years when my mother meditated there, I would go and drop her the food. They had food there, but they didn't quite like the food, what was given there, what was cooked there. So, we would bring, and offer food; we said we’d gain merit by bringing food for those people who are meditating. I was very surprised later on when Mr. Goenka became a Buddhist leader and that he gained so much from U Ba Khin’s Meditation Center. I did know my father said, ‘Why don't you try this one? Why don't you try?’ He didn't insist, because Daddy never went and sat for any meditation. He never had the time to do it. They were very busy with the years of the new government. That I remember. Mr. Goenka was very wealthy; I know because he would come with the driver and the car and all that. So that's all I remember. Very polite.
Later years, much, much later, after my father passed away, as I told you, by marriage, Bo Yan Naing, who was one of the 30 Comrades, his wife, became very much into how to teach meditation through Mr. Goenka’s method. In fact, she was one of the teachers of meditation following this, and I think that may have been also influenced by my mother, to the wife of Bo Yan Naing. So, there is that connection that was long after my father passed, long after. By then, Mr. Goenka’s method, or way of meditating, his meditation took on a life of its own with all the centers just opening and people studying to actually how to become teachers for this. And she was one of them.”