Mon Canadians Welcome Young Scholar

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Calgary, Canada — Mon community members gathered together last week to welcome a young Mon scholar at the Mon Buddhist Temple in Calgary on July 14, 2013.

Banyae Ong, a Ph.D candidate at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, studies biological science (Functional Genomics and Genetics) and has been granted a Western Graduate Research Scholarship after finishing his graduate degree in science from the Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.

The Mon Canadian Society (MCS) of Alberta, Canada, organized the event for Banyae Ong and the Mon community. Ong Chem Tala, the MCS Chairman, opened the ceremony, and Abbot of the Mon Buddhist Temple, Rev. Khema Wuntha, Nai Khaing Weng and Nai Chan Toik enumerated a number of educational values that the Mons have fought to defend.

“In the past, many Mons were motivated to further their education and became well-known professionals and teachers in Burma (Myanmar). Notable among them is Dr. Mehm Thet Zan, Dr. Min Tin Mon, Dr. Mehm Ko Ko Gyi and Dr. Than Naing. However, under the BSPP government, our high education standards have been degraded and many Mons having resettled in the third countries after 1988 uprising in Burma have had limited opportunity to study abroad,” said Nai Chan Toik.

“It is possible for all students from Burma (Myanmar) if they have the motivation to further their education abroad. The students have to work extra hard since the education standards in Burma are not up to date,” said Banyae Ong, a native of Durae village in Mon State.

The Raining Season Robe Offering Ceremony was held today July 20, 2013 at the Mon Temple which drew many participants.  The Robe Offering Ceremony or Waso marks the beginning of the three-month Buddhist Lentin July this year.

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