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Posts Tagged ‘philosophy’

Hammer of the Gods - Dragon Ball Martial Arts and the Double Axe Handle

July 23rd, 2009 Derek Padula 20 comments
Vegetto Smashes Majin Buu with a Double Axe Handle

Vegetto Smashes Majin Buu with a Double Axe Handle

In this Dragon Ball explorative essay we’re going to focus on the martial arts technique known as the double axe handle. This iconic technique is found throughout the Dragon Ball series and has both a rich history and symbolism.

Dragon Ball is a comic book and anime filled with fighting and all kinds of different martial arts styles.  Yet many of them share similar techniques, and the double axe handle is one of the most identifiable.

These are the questions we will answer in this article:

  • What is the double axe handle?
  • What are its origins and history, and how does it relate to Dragon Ball?
  • What are the histories of East Asian martial arts, Buddhism, and the Lightning Bolt Clasped Hands style of combat?
  • How do eastern philosophies and this technique fit into the fights of DBZ?
  • Why is the double axe handle used so often in Dragon Ball?
  • Outside of Dragon Ball, where else can the double axe handle be seen?

Read on to find out! Read more…

“I Do Not Know” and Ascension

November 2nd, 2008 Derek Padula 2 comments
Goku Smiles

Goku Smiles

How do you know what you know is the truth?  Because you believe it to be.

Those who cannot enlighten to higher truths believe that the truth at their level is the highest, and they believe in all that they can see at their level and below them, with the presumption, based on observable information and incite, that their current level is the highest.

If you don’t believe that there may be a higher truth than the one you currently know then you will forever be positioned at that level.

Saying “I do not know” opens the door for potential improvement. Read more…

Out to Sea

October 13th, 2007 Derek Padula No comments
Kame House in the middle of the sea

Kame House in the middle of the sea

Let’s say you’re floating in the middle of the sea, all by yourself. You’re paddling vigorously to stay afloat but it’s such a constant part of your life that you’re used to it, and your muscles haven’t really fatigued yet.

Occasionally another person comes floating by and you notice that they’re struggling just as hard to stay afloat. The two of you start talking about how much it sucks to struggle like this, and how life doesn’t make any sense. You both agree that life is extremely painful, and seems pointless, and you wish there were some kind of purpose, or there was less suffering involved. Yet at the end of the conversation neither of your lives have improved, at all, you’re just more aware of how it’s not like you want. Read more…