Large Double-Bladed Axe Award

 

This award was only presented to individuals personally by Sensei Koeppel, and was discontinued when he passed away.

 

Buddha's Double-Bladed Axe was the personal insignia of Mr. Phillip W. Koeppel, a special emblem that he wore in the form of a 4 1/2" patch, which he also awarded to select karate-ka over the 66 years that he studied karate. The right to wear this patch is the highest honor awarded by Sensei Koeppel. Its requirements are the same as its meaning.

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).

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The 62 people to whom this award was presented are:

1. William Foster (Rev.) - Deceased

2. James McLain - Deceased

3. Clarence Wilson - Deceased

4. Anthony Zvirbllis (D.C.) - Deceased

5. Robert Moore - Deceased

6. Glenn Keeney - Deceased

7. Melvin Wise (D.C.) - Deceased

8. Larry Davenport

9. James Horne

10. Steve Anderson

11. Michael Awad - Deceased

12. Rick Hall

13. Parker Shelton - Deceased

14. Donald Sonney

15. Curtis Jones

16. H Eugene Talbott 7/94

17. Thomas Awad 7/94 - Deceased

18. Robert Yarnall 7/95

19. John Hutchcroft 6/97

20. Rescinded

21. Joseph Fyock 6/97 - Deceased

22. David Hamann 6/97

23. Ron Rollins 6/97 - Deceased

24. Fred McKinley 6/97 - Deceased

25. Kevin Chalfant 6/97

26. James Duffy 6/97

27. Ray Bloom 7/98 - Deceased

28. Richard Awad 7/99

29. Patrick Beaumont 7/99

30. David Schielein 7/99

31. John Manley 7/99

32. Ross Scott 7/99

33. Guy Holtzman 10/03

34. William Vecchiolli 5/04

35. Mark Shear 6/04 - Deceased

36. Clark Wade, Sr. 6/04 - Deceased

37. Rescinded

38. Wilford Lowther 6/05

39. James Price 6/07

40. Patti Staton 11/10

41. Gary Pullen 11/10

42. Carl Harr 11/10

43. Lucky Phillips 11/10

44. Jay Goldstein 11/10

45. Randy Lloyd 11/10

46. Roger Shafer 11/10

47. William Bowling 4/12

48. Stephen Van Camp 6/12

49. John V. Ryan 6/13

50. Judith Catlow 6/13

51. Thomas Campbell (Ph.D.) 6/13 - Deceased

52. Michael Shear (Ph.D.) 8/14

53. Joseph Palmer 6/16 - Deceased

54. Gary Walker 6/16

55. Marc Klass 6/16

56. William Cullen 6/16

57. Ann Bui 6/16

58. Simon Murphy 11/18

59. Patricia Fink 11/18

60. Gregory Dissman 11/18

61. Timothy Coogan 11/18

62. Darrin McGowan 7/19

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These people are the only ones who can award the small (1 1/2") duplicate emblem to their personal students.