Thanks for the clarification, Dipankar.

I get a better idea of these various modes of address.

Piya.

On 10/25/06, Dipankar Chakma <dipankaro@...> wrote:
>
> To rejoin with Piya Tan with respect to the name "Piya" I couldn't get
> the sense unless it is "Phaya" or "paya" as it is referred to the Buddha and
> to response when sb is called. It is ok with that of Piya so long as it is
> bear dear, or dearable, or loveable in the sense of Pali Language.
> With metta,
> bhante
> Piya Tan <dharmafarer@... <dharmafarer%40gmail.com>> wrote:
> Thanks Htet Phoe & Lynette,
>
> Things are a bit clearer now. However, as Htet Phoe says that Myanmar
> names
> are unique, it is unlikely that the name SHWE ZAN AUNG has the surname as
> final, Western style. Or, should it read Aung, Shwe Zan (as indexed in
> biblio).
>
> Also I work in an increasing westernized situation here in Singapore, that
> is, we have many lay Dharma teachers (incl lay meditation teachers), like
> myself. A number of students have asked me how to address a senior lay
> teacher (in English, that is). More traditional circles use sifu
> (Chinese),
> or sensei (Zen, Japanese), or "lama la" (Tibetan), or swami (Indian), but
> English-speaking Singaporean are in the midst of sinking cultural roots.
>
> One reason for a need of proper address is to avoid caveperson lingo. For
> example, when someone wishes to ask a question in class, and is not sure
> if
> they should address me by name (this is Asia!), they would into "Ah.." or
> "Uggh.." Then I know I am addressed :)
>
> Half-jokingly, I told them to address me as "Piya" (my Pali name), with
> which I feel quite comfortable as it avoids a sense of status in
> status-conscious Singapore and Malaysia.
>
> Recently, I discovered that "Piya" in Myanmar actually has a meaning close
> to Thai "tahn" (something like "sir"). Apparently, my name comprises two
> of
> the most common polite salutations of Thailand and Myanmar! Or so it
> seems.
>
> My point is that if "Piya" is a polite salutation meaning something like
> "sir," it should be suitable for addressing lay Dharma teachers (like
> "Ajahn" in Thailand, which is used for both monastic and lay). Please
> remember we are talking about Singapore (or perhaps modern Australian)
> scenario with practising Buddhists.
>
> My question is: is "piya" a Myanmar salutation, and how is it used there?
>
> Thanks again.
>
> Piya
>
> On 10/19/06, Lynette Monteiro <lynettemonteiro@...<lynettemonteiro%40ottawamindfulnessclinic.com>
> >
> wrote:
> >
> > Dear Friends,
> >
> > I am new to the group and have been enjoying the exchanges. Thank you.
> >
> > Burmese names are a unit so there isn't a surname per se. However, the
> > "last" name or family connect is placed first. "Aung Shwezan" makes more
> > sense as (I think) "Aung" is more likely the surname. "Shwezan" would be
> one
> > unit so I don't think I'd use Shwe as an index.
> >
> > Metta,
> > Lynette
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Piya Tan
> > To: Pali Yahoo Group
> > Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 12:10 AM
> > Subject: [Pali] Burmese names
> >
> > Friends,
> >
> > I hope some Myanmarese (Burmese) viewer could help me here about
> > Burmese names. As I do not have the Library of Congress guide to
> > book classification rules and guidelines, I am trying to figure out
> > how to index Burmese name like
> >
> > SHWE ZAN AUNG
> >
> > (1) Do I enter the name as it is, as it is a unique name?
> > (2) Or, is the surname AUNG, so that I should index it so.
> >
> > I notice most biblios index the name under AUNG, though I have a
> > feeling it should be SHWE.
> >
> > Piya Tan
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > No virus found in this incoming message.
> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> > Version: 7.1.408 / Virus Database: 268.13.5/483 - Release Date:
> 10/18/2006
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
> Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]