Master Koeppel's Personal Insignia

The Double-Bladed Axe

Large Double Axe Award

This award will be given at the Grand Nationals every year.    
Group photo taken at the 1999 Grand Nationals

 The color white stands for purity. The color black stands for strength. The eight sides represent the "Eight-Fold Path":

1. Right Understanding
2. Right Thoughts
3. Right Speech
4. Right Conduct
5. Right Occupation
6. Right Efforts
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Meditation

These eight precepts encircle the axe itself, which has four sides, representing the "Four Noble Truths":

1. There are sufferings in life
2. Sufferings are caused by ignorance
3. Suffering ceases when one overcomes ignorance
4. The way, or path, to overcome the causes of ignorance is the "Eight-Fold Path"

The axe is double-bladed, representing the direction of these tenets toward oneself (hinayan) and for the benefit of others (mahyan).

The thirty-nine people to whom this award has been presented are:

These thirty-nine people are the only ones who can award the small 1 ½" duplicate emblem to their personal students.