Thein Hlaing Oo, a 19-year-old Secondary 4 student, explores the profound role of faith in human lives. Having grown up in a devout family and experienced monkhood, he views religion not merely as a path to the afterlife but as a guide to finding peace, freedom, and meaning here on Earth. In his thought-provoking talk, Thein Hlaing Oo challenges traditional beliefs about heaven, redefining it as a way of life rather than a destination after death. Through personal stories and interactive activities, he reveals how religion can inspire true peace, freedom, and love—not as a transaction, but as a source of deep fulfillment in everyday life. Join him as he shares how his meditation journey transformed his perspective and invites us to embrace a new understanding of heaven and the role of faith in our lives. Thein Hlaing Oo is a 19-year-old Secondary 4 student at Brainworks International School, Thingangyun Campus. While not a sole believer in any religion, he is deeply interested in how faith shapes human lives. Having grown up in a devout family and experienced monkhood, he now explores religion as a guide to finding peace, freedom, and meaning—not just in the afterlife, but here on Earth. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 19:14De-link India’s View on Disability | Sai Prasad Vishwanathan | TEDxInternationalSchoolOfHyderabadThis talk challenges prevailing societal perceptions of disability in India, advocating for a shift from a charity-based model to one of empowerment and inclusion. It explores how deep-rooted cultural attitudes and systemic barriers limit opportunities for people with disabilities and highlights the need for policy reforms, accessibility, and a change in mindset to foster a truly inclusive society. Sai Prasad Vishwanathan is a gold medalist from Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, holds an M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin, and a business degree from ISB Hyderabad. He was the first Indian with a disability to skydive from 14,000 feet and the first Asian with a disability to join the prestigious Antarctic Youth Ambassador Program. As the co-founder of Sahasra, a scholarship initiative for underprivileged students, he has worked to improve accessibility and create opportunities for people with disabilities. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 13:33The Power of Small Talk | Tarini Swaroop | TEDxInternationalSchoolOfHyderabadOften dismissed as meaningless, small talk has the potential to create deep, lasting connections—through psychology, neurobiology, and communication strategies. Tarini Swaroop is an IBDP student at Oakridge International School, Gachibowli taking Computer Science, Psychology and Math at a higher level. A keen believer in the power of interdisciplinary learning, she’s combined her varied interests into a passion to pursue Computational Cognitive Science in the future. Although you may find her fangirling over her pretty notes in school, she now indulges most of her time in her latest hobbies - formula 1 races and dorm room shopping. She hopes to bring fresh insights and thought-provoking ideas to the TEDx stage, inspiring the audience to keep the conversation going This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
