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":
- Right Understanding
- Right Thoughts
- Right Speech
- Right Conduct
- Right Occupation
- Right Efforts
- Right Mindfulness
- Right Meditation
These eight precepts encircle the axe itself, which has four sides, representing the
"Four Noble Truths":
- There are sufferings in life
- Sufferings are caused by ignorance
- Suffering ceases when one overcomes ignorance
- 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 61 people to whom this award has been presented are: