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Introduction
This book is a fun, engaging and instructive look at one of the world's most influential and well-known epic stories. More than any book before it, The Dao of Dragon Ball draws upon Japanese and Chinese history, martial arts culture and spiritual/psychological disciplines to delve deeper into the Dragon Ball series.
Ever since Goku's conception/re-interpretation he has become a world famous and easily recognizable character. His presence in the lives of hundreds of millions has left an impact on society. Goku has been seen by some as a perfect role model, while others view him as one of the most annoying characters in existence. Despite being in the spotlight, his innocence and mindfulness of the current moment almost always allow him to be at peace and maintain a smile on his cherubic face regardless of the situation, similar to many of the spiritual teachers who offer guidance in our real lives. Perhaps that's one of the benefits of not being real? Or perhaps Goku's outlook on life can serve as a model for others.
Foreword
Dragon Ball takes fantastic martial arts prowess and supra-physical powers, fuses it with a quest with complicated characters toward a mythic goal, builds in the tension of non-good, aggressive enemies and threatener's to large-scale environments (as well the dark side of the main hero’s nature) and spins it all into a captivating, riveting, fun and instructive animated and comic book series. Dragon Ball is the kind of epic journey that invites you inside, takes you right in to the action and challenges and dilemmas.
If you could fly through air at super sonic speeds, punch through a mountain with your bare hands, control energy beams mentally, and even disintegrate entire planets... would you? Or would you harness these abilities for a greater good and teach others how to do the same?
Directorial Power
Dragon Ball’s origins, as a tour de force of anime and as a vastly ranging martial/philosophical saga, lies in a complex foundation of historical and creative bedrock. Without the legends, myths, documents and teachings of Asian martial arts and spiritual metaphysics, Dragon Ball would not exist. Without the man who recognized these layers of history and glamour as an entertaining and instructive storyline for his new art, Dragon Ball could have emerged, but probably as a lesser creation.
Who is the man who forged Dragon Ball? A rather reclusive, unpretentious, dazzlingly creative Japanese man named Akira Toriyama. A modest man who by and large avoids public exposure, is always pushing the envelope of his art, and, who like a character in his manga, adopts a cat he finds soaking wet on a rainy Tokyo night.
The early 1950’s were a crucial period in Japan’s journey to becoming an economic superpower. There was an embrace of technology and engineering within the context of a parliamentarian (similar to the British democratic system) democracy. Socially, there was examination of militarism, including the entire bushido code of warrior martial arts, and strong anti-nuclear weapon sentiments emerged. Several animated and live action features were produced within the artistic side of this movement, stressing the awful and awesome effect of such powerful weapons. This was absorbed by Toriyama in his childhood and youth. It profoundly affected the psyche of post WWII Japan and inlaid a significant cultural fascination with science/technology, mutation/monster archetypes, martial arts heroism and the nature of destructive weaponry versus single individuals in combat using mind and body discipline skills.
In Dragon Ball we can also see direct inspiration (or outright robbery / parody) from Western films like Alien (1979), its' incredibly successful sequel Aliens (1986) and The Terminator (1984), each of which was directed by James Cameron. Weird looking monsters from outer space, super strong robots with a pre-programmed mission to assassinate the hero, outer space battles, time travel paradoxes, and special effects wizardry galore. The subtle references as well as blatant mimicry are populated throughout the series, most often for comical effect.
The whole culture of gag humor, giant monsters, killer robots and superhero’s is interwoven. Akira Toriyama is, in his heart, a gag manga artist. This is primarily due to his childhood influences. He has commented several times that the humorous parts of Dragon Ball are the ones he enjoyed creating the most. This type of comedy was rife in Japanese culture, and was fertile soil for a man like Toriyama to plant his seeds and grow.
… To The World
The presentation was for some people a gift. For others it was a miserable, off-putting debacle of warped memories—some would regard it as the worst event in anime history. On June 1st, an editorial by Chris Psaros where he reviews the latest tape was posted on DBZ Uncensored with the opening line "… Dragon Ball Z in the United States is dead. Worse than that, actually. FUNimation killed it, and is now defiling its corpse."
This was followed two paragraphs later by "Oh, the horror."
To summarize this latter view: the old school already felt that the show had been bastardized before, but now was so distant from the intent and premise of DBZ that it seemed a complete disconnect. FUNimation had taken what they loved, despite the American twist, and turned it into something unintelligible, gauche and backwards from the original story and production intentions. It had transformed from bad to worse.
Gone was the previous and professional cast of voice actors (Ocean) hired by Pioneer. In their place were local citizens who happened to live nearby the FUNimation Studios lot during the casting call. The original American music was edited out (nowhere to be seen was the original Japanese as fans had hoped for), replaced by hard rock and synthetic instruments. The original script was largely scrapped, leaving only a semblance of its integrity—that small integrity seemingly a result from the writers hands being forced by the animation flow. The only parts updated beneficially were the visuals, and even these were lackluster because there were less visuals than expected. The show had been so edited and censored that the old school fans could barely believe what they were watching. They longed for the old days, which they had previously blasted but now felt were a golden age in comparison.
Naturally, FUNimation Studios and Cartoon Network received countless letters, e-mails, and phone calls about this unprecedented butchery. Websites sprung up with the sole intent of showing how badly FUNimation ruined the series, and to create ballots that thousands of people would sign declaring to FUNimation that they must change their wicked ways. Cartoon Network's sole task was to air the episodes and they were not responsible for the program beyond the broadcast quality.
FUNimation's response, for the most part, was silence. Their reasoning behind this silence can be summarized as such: 'We will continue to do what we are doing because people are watching it.' The voice of the minority, no matter how strong, is still a minority, and FUNimation was running a business. They were taking a risk that their investment would pay off. Logically they went where the money was, even if (according to the old school) that meant appealing to the lowest common denominator.
Aware of Emptiness
The topic of Goku's name is a somewhat complex one because it is so intertwined with his personality and character arc as it develops in the series. Throughout the book we refer to him as Goku as this has become the popular way to do so. But in all actuality his 'real' family name is Son, with his full name being ‘Son Goku’ (remember that the last name comes first). Son combined with Goku signifies his lineage as a human being, as a man. So where then does Goku come from and why do we use that instead of Son?
The name Goku was one self-applied to him in the very first episode of Dragon Ball, and only retroactively explained in Dragon Ball Z. Without this retroactive fit we would never know where the name came from.
As described briefly in the previous chapter, the story goes that Goku landed on Earth in a Saiya-jin space pod on mission from Lord Frieza to cleanse the planet and prepare it for international sale. But when Goku fell down a ravine and bumped his head he completely lost the knowledge programmed in his mind on the purpose and reason for his existence; to cleanse Earth.
A man who only referred to himself as ‘Grandpa Gohan’ picked up this newly-changed boy and held him up to the sunny sky. The boy smiled and laughed and was as happy as a person can be. Grandpa Gohan looked at him in the sunlight, this shining and joyful youth, and decided at that moment to name him "Goku." It turns out that Grandpa Gohan's full name was Son Gohan, and so Goku's full name thereby became Son Goku.
And what do these two names mean? The family name Son is one that can mean two (or more) things. First, it means 'grandson,' implying that Goku is the grandson of Grandpa Gohan. The second: It is a basic and non-descriptive surname given to anybody to imply that they do indeed have a surname. It is like a name without being a name. A null. It's used here as both a family name and a symbolic name.
Son is also occasionally used to indicate the name of Goku’s original father figure and teacher in that by saying Son Goku one can simultaneously pay respect to Goku and his elder. Goku named his first child Son Gohan within this line of thought as both a genetic and spiritual veneration of one’s ancestors. Goku was under the presumption of their genetic relationship as grandfather and grandson until he reached adulthood, where he learned that his ancestry sprouted from a different seed.
The given name is much richer with history and purpose. The name itself is broken down into two characters, Go and Ku—each of which can be used singularly or in combination with other characters. The Go ideogram is one that implies 'awareness,' 'comprehension,' 'to realize,' 'to apprehend.' The Ku implies 'emptiness,' 'hollowness,' 'bare,' 'deserted,' and 'void.' The characters can mean all of these things at once and will change based on the context in which they are applied. When combined, the word Goku most often means 'Aware of Emptiness,' or 'Apprehension of Void'. It is a name with great meaning, and one, like many in Japanese society, that comes from Chinese Buddhism.
A Super Man
The internet community of Dragon Ball fans seems to like the comparison between Goku and Superman, as well as the inevitable question of "Who would win in a fight?" The forums are abuzz with lively discussions (and flame wars) between fans of either character, along with a multitude of situations in which one character could have the upper hand against the other. It is a debate that can last for many weeks and months.
How can you even compare the two? Perhaps it is like apples and oranges, with a few similarities but more differences, ultimately coming to the understanding that there's no point in comparing them because they are both inherently different and inherently valuable for these very differences. But the fact that the subject exists at all and has been raised before leads one to think that it is worth discussing.
It’s best to start at the beginning.
Where does Superman come from? The birthplace of Superman is the planet Krypton. Born as Kal-El, he is sent to Earth in a Kryptonian space pod by his father, Jor-El, a scientist, because of the planet’s imminent destruction. In an effort to keep his son alive, Jor-El sends him Earth-ward along with sage-like advice to always do good and protect those who cannot protect themselves. Soon after his departure the planet Krypton explodes. Like a falling meteor Superman’s space pod crashes into the Kansas farm home of Jonathan and Martha Kent. Childless, they adopt the boy as their own, name him Clark Joseph Kent, and raise him as a normal human boy.
Where does Goku come from? Goku's birthplace is the planet Vegeta. He is sent to the planet Earth in a Saiya-jin space pod by his father, Bardock, under the despotic Lord Frieza’s orders, because of his weak power level and the value of Earth on the galactic market. Soon afterward, the planet Vegeta explodes. Entering the atmosphere like a meteor, his space pod crashes into a non-descriptive chasm near the mountain home of Grandpa Gohan. Childless, the man adopts the boy as his own, names him Goku, and raises him as a young human boy, teaching him to always do good and protect those who cannot protect themselves.
One of the mistakes that was made during the initial English translation and dubbing of the first 2 seasons of Dragon Ball Z was the relationship between Goku and his true father, Bardock. The dub states that his father was a scientist, one who created a technique that enables the Saiya-jin elite to transform into a more powerful battle ready state. But in truth he was the squad leader of a group of Saiya-jin warriors. They were planet cleansers—a low level group when compared to most by Lord Frieza. Though a man with great potential, and a complex fate, he was by no means a scientist. It's hard to pinpoint why the mistranslation of the dub occurred, and is probably a combination of several factors, but there is a slight chance that the translators of the show were tipping their hat to Jor-El.
As Clark matures in the rural town of Smallville he begins to experience his powers for the first time, and soon learns that he is different from most boys. He has super speed, super strength, and is invulnerable to most pains found in life. After the death of his adoptive parents he moves to Metropolis and attends Metropolis University to study journalism. He earns a job and assumes the role of a mild-mannered reporter for the Daily Star (later changed to the Daily Planet). His alternate identity hides that of Superman, defender of justice, "The Man of Steel." Fighting crime for several years, he attains new and ever increasing powers. It isn't until a decade after his initial creation in the comic books that he gains the ability to fly—limited previously to jumping an eighth of a mile at a time. As he matures he unlocks more of his potential, coping with the emerging Kryptonian nature hidden under the guise of his humanity.
Goku is taught the way of martial arts by Grandpa Gohan as he matured on Mt. Paozu, a mountainous land with few inhabitants. His concept of the real world is relegated to his experiences on these mountains, and we are led to believe that he knew nothing beyond what his Grandpa taught him, including his true identity. To Goku, there is no one inside himself, no split personality or hidden past. His life is simple, and he understands his role as his grandpa's disciple. It isn't until Grandpa's mysterious and unexplained death (at the time); along with the introduction of a city-wise girl named Bulma that Goku is swept into modernity, where he experiences the real world for the first time. While on his journey for the dragon balls he unlocks more of his potential as he comes to grip with the emerging Saiya-jin nature hidden under the guise of his humanity.
The Journey West
Once returned to Earth, Monkey is now all powerful and uncontrollable, and is dismayed that he is not being given the respect he deserves amongst those in celestial power. "It must be because of the way I look," he thinks. To remedy this, he transports himself to the Great Southern Sea, and speaks to the Dragon King of this underwater realm. He barges into the dragon's home and demands the greatest looking armor he owns, along with the most powerful weapon in his treasury. The Dragon King is shocked at the rudeness of Monkey and his ignorance and disregard of proper conduct, but out of fear of certain doom obliges Monkey's demands and says he can have his pick of the treasures.
Monkey dons a suit of shining and golden armor fit for a man, and feels it is even more fit for him. Next he locates the "Iron Cudgel Magical Wishing Staff (Japanese: NyoiBo)," which is shaped like a giant pillar with two golden colored ends. The Dragon King suggests that this weapon might not be right for Monkey because it weighs 13,000 lbs, though this is said mostly out of fear for how he would use it. Monkey laughs, and picks up the staff like it's nothing. The Dragon King, astonished, tells Monkey that this was the staff used to flatten the Milky Way galaxy, and can assume any shape and grow to any length, adjusting to the user's mind intent. Its power is near limitless. Monkey shrinks it down to the size of a needle and sticks it behind his ear for safekeeping.
On his way out he realizes that while he is dressed like a human and now carries a weapon fit for one of his stature, he still has no footwear. He spots a pair of shoes called "Cloud Hopping Shoes" and decides to take these as well. They allow him to jump into the air and travel 108,000 li in a split second atop a cloud, making any corner of the universe traversable in a moment (A li is a Chinese measure of distance, roughly equivalent to 0.5 kilometers). Monkey is now dressed like a king and carries the divine instruments worthy of such a powerful being.
With this new equipment in tow Monkey returns to his village and begins calling himself "The Great Sage Equal to Heaven." "This is a mockery of Heaven itself," says the Jade Emperor, and he orders the entire heavenly retinue of soldiers to go and subdue Monkey, and bring him to Heaven for punishment. But Monkey is a great warrior, and he is now immortal. Using one of the ‘72 transformation skills’ that he learned from the immortal master, Monkey transforms into a giant great ape, and begins to slay the forces of heaven without mercy, smashing their skulls with his new weapon.
Monkey is a natural fighter, loves the thrill of combat, and is more potent than the warriors assigned to protect Heaven. The other monkey's fight alongside him and together they defend Monkey's kingdom.
Spiritual Warrior
The monumental Chinese classic The Journey West is an illustration of enlightenment and the pilgrimage of the individual soul towards divinity in the Buddha Law (Sanskrit: Dharma, Chinese: Fo Fa) system of spiritual cultivation. While on the journey the pilgrims face various dangers. The guardians who protect San Zuan on his pilgrimage are warriors skilled in martial arts and spiritual abilities. Some of the techniques used may be relatable to modern day martial arts, while others seem far-fetched and unbelievable. But in history's past, and for martial artists of both mind and body schools, there was no disbelief, and there was no distinction between a martial artist cultivator and the impossible.
Buddhism is a highly introspective faith, and the coordination between mind and body is of utmost importance. Not all schools are one of integrated mind and body in their principles and teachings however. Some emphasize scripture reading to cultivate the mind and to either develop a Buddha-Body in other dimensions or utilize the path of nirvana to exit the human body and attain a higher, eternal state. This is in contrast to schools that focus on an integrated series of exercises to transform the human body and integrate it with the mind, fusing the mind and body into a unified Buddha-Body made of high energy matter.
These mind body training systems are at the heart of the martial arts, which utilize a master disciple relationship to unlock the mind’s gates through physical movements. The difference between a system and a style is that a system is an integrated whole of teaching and practice while a style is one particular methodology of the system. In traditional Indian based practices the five elements and an intricate system of mandala based teachings were utilized by the master to teach the disciple to look within. The dropping of attachments and self focused nature of the practitioners, with each step, led them closer to a selfless understanding of the original, true self. The eventual result would be internal peace within the spiritual warrior, followed by external peace throughout. These systems of practice were in place for thousands of years prior to the time of Buddha Shakyamuni, in many civilizations, including Indian.
Buddha Shakyamuni was taught a system of mind and body cultivation known as Vajramukti. It was an art taught primarily to nobility and the upper class, and was an aspect of Indian culture highly influenced by the beliefs of Brahmanism and the creationist legends of India’s national history and culture. Mind and body cultivation systems like Vajramukti were eventually carried over to other parts of Asia, such as China. And once in China these arts developed of their own accord, and likewise, were spread further East to Korea and Japan. Each nation adopted these systems and eventually made them their own unique, independent styles, but the seed of their family tree sprouted forth in India.
The martial arts seen in Dragon Ball are varied. The series begins as one based on a Chinese legend, and as such the martial arts witnessed in the first few saga’s are primarily of a Chinese nature, despite the series being a uniquely Japanese creation. It slowly blends Chinese martial arts with Japanese martial arts and styles from various other countries of our own world, and then extends beyond our world to include styles from alien races. Even though it starts with China, the reality of our history is that Chinese martial arts did not originate entirely in China, making for a complex discussion.
Dragon Ball uses the martial arts as a primary medium of communication. To answer the question of "why?" we must look toward the past. Where did Chinese and Japanese martial arts come from? Why are the martial arts so important to the series, and why do the majority of characters practice some form of personal and physical development?
By practicing the fixed forms of the Vajramukti the practitioners of Chuan Fa could enlighten to that which Buddha Shakyamuni himself was once taught, and the physical act of using their body, as controlled by their mind, brought into play all the sensory functionality inherent in the human condition. The physical actions were a supplement to sitting in meditative trance. Through sensitive awareness of the conflicts in the inner mind, practitioners of Chuan Fa would improve their character along with their physique, going hand in hand with the improvement of their levels in understanding of the Law. They had to take part in the battle of mind, body, and speech, a battle to conquer their selves. Legend says that via this method the Shaolin monks became the peacekeepers of their land, and the protectors of Buddhism on earth.
Through the practice of martial arts and meditation with other students, as well as in live battle, the awareness of key vital points on the body and energy centers across the meridians formed into a study and focused practice of healing, bone manipulation, tendon manipulation, and energy treatment. The grand traditions of the Chinese healing systems already established were augmented further by these discoveries.
Chuan Fa was welcomed in China for its beneficial results among the military elites, and spread throughout China during the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 C.E.), the height of Chinese civilization and the apex of Chinese Buddhism. Many schools of thought were accepted and promoted in Tang China, including different branches of the same system or systems that philosophically disagreed with one another. One notable school is that of Linji, the most widespread and successful of the Five Houses of Chan. Linji’s teachings (as taught by a monk who took the posthumous title of the temple’s name) were highly confrontational and focused on breaking down perceived notions of the disciple while trying to enact sudden enlightenment through physical or verbal conflict. This practice would later become well known in Japan.
Rivals
The ability to teach honestly and accurately comes from experience in a particular discipline. Once a student of the martial arts takes someone under their wing they enter into an extremely important teacher to student relationship. Regardless of the number of students, one or one thousand, a master is one who has perfected their art (to their current level) and ingrains it into a student capable of learning its inner depths.
In the Dragon World of Dragon Ball there is one original master of martial arts, named Mutaito (though surely there must have been some before him). Master Roshi (Kame Sennin) and Tsuru Sennin were his disciples, and as a team they fought as partners against Piccolo Daimao and his demonic minions on their first worldwide rampage. In a last ditch effort to save the planet, Mutaito sealed Piccolo Daimao's body and soul in the Denshin Jar using a technique called Mafuba (Demon Seal, or Evil Containment Wave). He successfully used this forbidden technique at the cost of his own life.
Masterless, the two students split apart and went their separate ways. Each holding different philosophies and perspectives after Mutaito's death.
The Turtle School is taught by Kame-sennin (Turtle Hermit). Kame Sennin is also known as Master Roshi, as he is called many names throughout the series, though we are never told his original given name. Roshi is the Japanese version of the Chinese laoshi (old one), implying a teacher or master with wisdom. It is a term from Zen Buddhism used in a similar manner to sensei. Master Roshi itself means "Master Old Teacher," or jokingly "Master Master." Muten Roshi as he's sometimes called, means "Old Martial Master of Heaven." Perhaps when Master Roshi gained discipleship under Mutaito (or after his death) he gave up his true name and took on this posthumous title. Since he has no true name people only refer to him by his titles. He is an old bald man, skinny and perverted, with a long beard and a large pair of black sunglasses, but when he starts to fight you better watch out. Back in the day he was extremely powerful, relatively speaking. He is a somewhat serious character for much of the early series, but later on he simply provides comic relief and a touchstone for the history of the main characters.
He enters the tournament in disguise (the first character disguise of many) for the sake of his students. When disguised as Jackie Chun his pupils fight all out as they are unaware of who he is. He also fights in the tournament like this because he knows full well that they would win the tournament if he did not enter, and he defeats them (just barely) to show that "There is always a taller mountain."
There are many personal vendettas throughout the series but the two main rivalries both involve Goku. The first is Goku versus Piccolo, and the second is Goku versus Vegeta. Both occur in Goku's adult life.
Piccolo (Piccolo Daimao Jr.) is the result of Piccolo Daimao having produced an egg at the time of his death. From this egg grew Piccolo, infused with genetic and spiritual inborn hatred for Goku and everything that he represents, specifically the murder of his predecessor. Their rivalry lasts for years, until Piccolo finally kills Goku while fighting Raditz, and then as mentioned adopts Gohan as his disciple and begins his redemption.
The rivalry with Vegeta lasts for the entire series starting at the point of their first meeting. When arriving on Earth, Vegeta is shocked at his defeat by the hands of a low level commoner Saiya-jin like Kakarotto (Goku). His royal pride is tarnished for the rest of his life, and it isn't until one of the final episodes of the Z series that he openly admits that Kakarotto is a superior fighter and superior man. Their relationship is stressed on fighting and battles, and the only reason Vegeta ever helps Kakarotto is because his hatred and pride are so strong that he declares "I will be the one to kill him." He won't let anybody else defeat Kakarotto, as his pride would never regain its rightful place if he weren't able to earn revenge.
Ultimately the rivalry serves as a foil for the two characters to better themselves. Goku, humorously, doesn't actually care much about Vegeta's pride and why he's fighting. He fights Vegeta because he loves to fight. That's the only reason. He admires his incredible strength and is exhilarated by the memory of their first battle. Vegeta's much more focused on his emotions and royal heritage. Near the end of the series their relationship borders on friendship, but it's relatively one sided and is more akin to Vegeta simply not wanting to kill him anymore.
Shugyo
Chi-Chi is most emblematic of the okusan in Dragon Ball. As Goku's wife, she is typically left alone in her home on the secluded Mt. Paozu. With Goku away on training for years at a time, occasionally due to his death, Chi-Chi's role is the protector of her home and family. Without a career of her own, she uses the money that Goku won at the Budokai Tenkaichi martial arts tournament to survive while Goku is away, and to raise their children in a proper manner. She too is a martial artist, and one of the most powerful women on the planet. Her experience, of faithfully waiting for her husband to return while she maintained the home, must have been very similar to the experience of 17th and 18th century samurai wives, or the wives of any soldier for that matter.
It is a difficult thing to know that your husband may never come back from war and that your children may end up fatherless, and Chi-Chi shows this in her reaction to Goku's care free attitude towards leaving the home and pursuing his training. Each time he leaves she suffers a mental breakdown, as she knows she'll be without a husband for a long time to come, and possibly forever. Their style of raising children differ quite significantly as well, with Chi-Chi focused on her children's studies and scholarly pursuits, while Goku only cares about their ability to fight. Goku occasionally takes his sons along with him on his training, much to the annoyance and downright wailing tears of Chi-Chi, but he does it for their own good, to increase their power and save the Earth. Chi-Chi, screaming, says that she could care less about becoming more powerful and saving the Earth. What she wants is to have her family at home, with her, where she can love them. Goku, in surprise (and slight fear), calmly explains that if the Earth is destroyed there won't be a home or a family to fill it. By the end of the series Chi-Chi begins to see things from Goku's perspective, and when he leaves for his spiritual training she begins to say "Good Luck. Have fun!," as she realizes that even if she didn't want them to leave that there's nothing she can do to stop them. She accepts her role as the okusan and continues to live her life in this manner.
In more spiritual terms, as mentioned before, a musha shugyo is used by warriors and monks to travel to various temples or spiritual locations in search of enlightenment. Futagami Hannosuke Masaaki, a samurai in 1650's Japan, involved himself in a musha shugyo to perfect his swordsmanship. In one instance he travels deep into the rugged valley of Mt. Yoshino in Yamato for spiritual seclusion. He trains and seeks enlightenment for thirty seven days while refining his martial arts style. While gazing at the Yoshino river, he becomes transfixed by the swirling water and attains sudden enlightenment, known as satori.
Divine Combat
The battles in the later parts of DB, all of DBZ and GT, are rife with energy blasts. These take shape in various forms, but they're all with the intent to destroy an opponent. Typically the energy is projected out of the palms, but it can also be directed from the eyes, mouth, feet, or body. If a blast is redirected or misses an opponent and makes contact with a surface that is not composed of a higher level energy (such as a practitioner), then it will just explode, often with enormous results. Nuclear blast shaped mushroom clouds (without the nuclear radiation) are synonymous with much of the higher level techniques in DBZ, such as Vegeta's Big Bang Attack, which he first uses in the Android Saga to great effect. The further the series progresses and the higher level a practitioner attains the more powerful the blasts tend to become.
Eventually you'd think that every blast fired out would simply destroy the planet, and this almost occurs on a few occasions, but this tendency towards bigger and bigger blasts is curbed by relativity. The amount of energy fired and subsequently felt in each blast is relative to the two duelists involved, and likewise a huge amount of energy can be contained in a small blast. Just as an incredible amount of potential can be found in a small child, or a boundless amount of spirit in an old man. It all depends on the people involved. In any case, energy blasts involve energy, and when energy makes contact with energy it causes a reaction. This reaction is most easily likened to a magnetic force, with two poles offering resistance towards one another. When beams make contact with other beams the result is a massive energy beam battle, where both warriors are shooting their energy at one another's beam in an attempt to overpower the other. The energy flows back and forth, shooting off wildly in the center, with each combatant pouring themselves into the fight. Like a reverse tug of war, the winner of the fight is able to project more power forward and into their opponent, causing them to take the blast head on. These beam battles became an iconic part of DBZ, and rightfully so, as they are extremely exciting to watch due to their rarity and overall cool factor.