Dear Dorje Kasung,

It is with a heavy heart this evening that we share news of the passing of Paul Halpern, Rupon. Paul had been battling pancreatic cancer with refreshing honesty, and enjoyed a remarkable sense of renewed health that might seem impossible to most of us. His email updates on his condition were not only examples of how well he could express himself in the written word, but served as a reminder of how brave we all might be in facing such circumstance. His sense of humor was always evident.

Paul became Rusung of the Washington, DC, squadron in 1978. After serving as Rusung there, attending several Rusung conferences in Boulder and serving as a Dorje Kasung at the earliest Kalapa Assemblies, Paul moved to Boulder and took on a number of roles in the Boulder squadron before moving to Halifax. He attended many encampments (his first was in 1980)—-in early years as a grunt, in middle years in leadership, and in later years as staff looking after shrine, practice, and liturgy. He has served many years in a variety of ways, always putting others first, including holding the post as Adjutant for the first CMR. Most recently, he served as a devoted member of the Halifax Dorje Kasung, supporting his wife Faye during her tenure as Regional Commander to Great Eastern Sun region. In his household, so devoted to the daily operations of the Dorje Kasung, he never stopped being a reliable member of local regiment, taking staff roles for countless visits. At the same time, he contributed his experience as an elder and editor to preserving and articulating the teachings of the Dorje Kasung, for which we will all continue to find ourselves thankful. He was a valuable combination of expertise and ongoing daily devotion.

In the words of Dragon Dapon Barry Boyce: "As a Rusung in Washington, Paul was thoroughly dedicated and had tremendous attention to detail and care for squad members. He led the squadron through His Holiness the Dalai Lama's first visit to North America and His Holiness the XVIth Karmapa's visit to Washington in 1980. He planned operations as if he were Rommel himself. On the job, his uniform was always impeccable and he was an exemplar of how Kasung should address each other, carry themselves, and know the details of their duty. Paul was an eccentric and he knew it, and he knew that was how he had to be. And therefore he carried it off with great humor and warmth. A smile would emerge on Paul's face like a cloud taking shape in the sky. A quip would slip out like a snake darting out of hiding. A scholar, Paul was a student of the Greek and Roman classics and a voracious reader; his mind was sharp and eclectic. He was a vital editorial eye and a wordsmith for many Kasung publications over the years, including the first Gesar handbook and the most recent edition of the Kasung handbook, which he was still concerned about even after he took ill. Above all, Paul loved the teachers he served—the Vidyadhara, the Sakyong, and all the great figures of the lineages. Paul thought of himself as a Kasung above all else, in whatever he was doing and wherever he was, and I am certain that his final thoughts as he left us were of the True Command."


In the words of Makpon Jesse Grimes: "Paul was a Dorje Kasung to the core. He awoke as a Dorje Kasung, went through his day as a Dorje Kasung, and slept as a Dorje Kasung. I had the privilege of working with him over many years and was fortunate to work with him over this last year on the new Dorje Kasung Handbook. Paul brought his sharp insight, humor and loyalty to that project, which will benefit the Dorje Kasung for many years to come."

Please join all of us now and in the next few days in keeping Paul, his wife Faye, his brother Alex and his whole extended family in our thoughts and practice.

On behalf of the Council of the Makkyi Rabjam,

Yours in the True Command,

Makpon Jesse Grimes and
Field Commander Bonnie Hankin