Su Nanda Mong Yu

Su Nanda Mong Yu

A portrait about Su Nanda Mong Yu – a Buddhist monk from Myanmar

– Interview from the 22’nd of March 2019, Colombo, Sri Lanka –

1. When was the last time you did feel happiness from the bottom of your heart?

I feel happiness when I find out something new. For example, I think about something which confuses me but afterwards I find an answer and I get a clear mind. That’s the time I feel happiness. These are the major moments. I was also happy when I got my degree or when I finished something successfully.

 

2. Imagine, the last day of your life has come and there is nobody who has any information about you and your life. All the information has mysteriously been deleted. If I would give you an empty sheet of paper and you could leave a message with the three most important wisdoms of your life, which three wisdoms would you write down?

Moment. Helping. Happiness.

 

3. What’s your source of power and motivation to manage your every-day-life?

Desiring. Wishing. To have a deep confidence in yourself.

 

4. How will the world be a different place because of what you have contributed?

For me what I am doing right now, I’m helping myself first and trying to guide myself in a better way. Then I want to help others, don’t force anyone and share my knowledge. It would be based on love and kindness. (laughs short)

 

5. What´s your vision for your life?

I want to finish my M.A. in Buddhism in Colombo. When I have finished it and I have enough money I want to keep on studying and become a doctor. Why I want to do this? In my region, northern Shan state of Myanmar, education is quite low and there is lots of war. Most of the time they fight each other. That’s my first vision.

After I finished my studies I want to establish a College and a University to increase our level of education. I would like to live the peace and stop the violence in my area in Myanmar. The Buddhist idea of achieving peace is first to find peace in yourself, to life the peace and afterwards you influence your surrounding in a positive way. I believe education with loving kindness can bring peace for our self and our environment.

 

6. When you make decisions, do you prefer following your head or your heart and instinct?

I’m trying to follow my thinking. But sometimes my heart has a big influence. I’m trying to use my brain more than my heart but I’m still practicing. (laughs)

 

7. How would you prefer your funeral to be like?

My body is useless after the dead. I don’t care what my family, friends and the people do. For me it’s most important to be kind and to have a happy life.

 

9. If an artist would draw a picture about your life, what animal would he choose as a symbol for you? What would the landscape around you look like in the drawing? What kind of weather would it be there?

I would like to choose a big, thick and green forest with dew on the mountain. At the bottom of the mountain on the ground would be wet grasses. On the trees should be every kind of birds and inside the forest should be every kind of animals.

In front of the forest would be a tame tiger protecting the forest and animals.

 

Additional information: 25 years old, studying M.A. Buddhist study in Colombo, Sri Lanka //2