The Jedi.
There is no emotion; there is peace.
There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.
There is no passion; there is serenity.
There is no death; there is the force.
Jedi are the guardians of peace in the galaxy.
Jedi use their powers to defend and protect, never to attack others.
Jedi respect all life, in any form.
Jedi serve others rather than ruling over them, for the good of the galaxy.
Jedi seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training.
-from The Jedi Code.
The Teachings of Master Odan-Urr
"Certainly a Jedi should know the Code, by word and by heart.
But seemingly every Jedi is in some fashion negligent, from the
lowest Padawan to the highest Master. Consequently, were someone
to demand, 'What is the true meaning of the Jedi Code?' the Jedi
who promptly answered would be rare indeed."
So begins the famous commentary upon the Jedi Code by Master Odan-Urr,
written almost four thousand years before the time of Master Mace Windu.
His musings on the proper behaviour of the Jedi formed the foundation
of the Jedi Order as it was known near the end of the Old Republic.
Odan-Urr's ancient wisdom held true for centuries. Many were taught
the Jedi Code, but few fully understood it. Fewer still lived by it.
Full comprehension of the Code is one of the keys to unlocking a Jedi's
mastery of the Force.
The Path Within the Code
At its most basic level, the Jedi Code is a set of guidelines explaining
what virtues to prize and what flaws to avoid. Jedi instructors ask their
students to always keep these words in mind. The reason is simple; the
Code provides instructions on how to become a Jedi Master.
Consider the first rule: "There is no emotion; there is peace." It is
plainly a contrast, distinguishing the confusion of emotional considerations
from the clear thinking of peaceful meditation - obviously, a valuable
quality.
But if that peace is rooted in simply being unaware of some factor that
would otherwise cause a Jedi to feel an emotional reaction, then it is
not so much peace as ignorance. This is why the Code contains the second
rule: "There is no ignorance; there is knowledge."
This teaches Jedi to strive to understand all situations - particularly
before acting - to avoid errors in judgement. But knowing a thing well can
lead to one become engrossed in it. An obsessive focus leads to clouding
of the mind. Thus, the third rule: "There is no passion; there is serenity."
Knowing a thing objectively is knowing it as the Force knows it.
Still, students commonly argue that the only true objectivity is nonexistance -
death. For does one not affect a thing even by merely observing it? This is
why there is the fourth rule: "There is no death; there is the Force." The
Force knows all things objectively; it is serene, and it is not swayed by
emotion.
Thus, the Jedi Code teaches that before undertaking any action, the Jedi
should consider the will of the Force. Master Odan-Urr said: "With these
other considerations aside, all that remains is the Force." If a Jedi can
act emotionlessly, knowledgeably and serenely, then he or she is acting
in accordance with the will of the Force.
Therefore, if a Jedi acts in all things without emotion, ignorance or
passion, then that Jedi is truly a master of the Force.
Interpreting the Code
While the Code is a straightforward map to mastery of the Force, it can
sometimes be frustrating when put into practice. The galaxy has changed
a great deal since the Jedi Code was first defined, and a great deal more
since Master Odan-Urr attempted to clarify it. Although the secret to the
Code is considering it thoroughly before acting, the universe often does
not afford a Jedi the time to do so.
Still, a Jedi can think through a great many things in advance, to better
maintain the principles of the Code when the rest of the universe is in a
hurry. Over the millennia since the founding of the Order, Jedi Masters
have recognised that there are eight conclusions a Jedi can reach before
situations are thrust upon him. A Jedi who understands these eight things
will, when called upon to make a quick decision, already know the will of
the Force.
Meditation
"Every Jedi should spend time meditating each day on the will of the Force.
The reason for this is simple: if one has unwittingly contrary to the will
of the Force, recognising the mistake soon after may still give one time
to make ammends."
-Master Odan-Urr
What Master Odan-Urr left unsaid was that regularly examining one's own
motivations, a Jedi could be certain that she was not allowing emotion,
ignorance or passion to intrude upon her clarity. A Jedi who has no time
to meditate may more easily become lost. More to the point, a Jedi who
refuses to meditate may already know that her motivations are not pure,
and is thus lying to herself. As Master Yoda once said: "The Jedi who heeds
not the counsel of the Force, to the Dark Side listens."
Training
"A Jedi's training in the Force never ends."
-Master Vodo Siosk-Baas
A wise Jedi should strive to remember that there is always something more
to learn about the Force. The Force reveals itself to those who have the
desire and knowledge to see it, and merely heeding the Force's will is much
the same as looking at Bantha's toe and saying: "Now I understand Banthas."
To continue to grow, a Jedi should train each day.
Loyalty
Jedi can exist in this universe because the Force exists. But the Jedi Order
needs more: it requires loyalty. It goes without saying that Jedi should be
loyal to one another. They should not squabble or fight. More importantly,
though, each Jedi should be aware that he must act in accordance with the
wishes of the Jedi Council. This is not a question of seniority, but rather
of understanding the will of the Force, and in this regard, the members of
the Jedi Council are recognised experts.
Integrity
A Jedi's responsibility to the Force is to be honest with himself. So long
as the Jedi is not acting for his own self-interest and observes the Code,
he is obeying the will of the Force. Master Odan-Urr lamented the
misperceptions of those who believed that Jedi should be morally superior:
"Many feel that a Jedi should be scrupulously honest, never taking advantage,
and never withholding information. This is nonsense."
A Jedi can and should offer advice to those who need it. From a certain point
of view, a Jedi is not being dishonest if he allows people to believe what
they wish to believe. It is not incumbent upon the Jedi to convince anyone
to follow his advice.
When a Jedi is serving the Force, he may employ deception, subterfuge,
misdirection and even fraud, if he does so with a righteous aim. Although
most sentient beings have a distaste for such practices, the Force is
without such emotions.
Do not confuse this with "moral flexibility." A Jedi does what needs to be
done. But also remember that a Jedi is not above the law.
Morality
The most dangerous - and debated - words ever uttered by a Jedi Master are:
"A Jedi is not a creature of morals." This statement has unfortunately been
translated, often by Jedi, to mean that a Jedi can do no wrong.
What it actually means is that Jedi are not enforcers of morality. While
Jedi can bring order and justice, they cannot themselves sit in judgement of
others. There are two reasons for this.
First, the galaxy is a vast place, full of cultures that no one Jedi can
completely understand. One famous story tells how a Jedi learned that a
companion had been devoured by the cannibalistic Colicoids. When asked why
the Jedi later bargained with the very same beings for starship components,
she responded: "Because eating the flesh of sentient beings is not forbidden
by the Jedi Code - but to the Colicoids, not eating the sentient beings is
considered a sign of insanity."
This Jedi recognised that punishing the Colicoids for following their nature
would be acting out of emotion and ignorance. Similarly, not procuring a badly
needed engine part would have been punishing herself out of guilt.
The second reason is that judgement leads to vengeance, and vengeance leads
to the Dark Side. This is easy to understand, though not so easy to practice.
Should a known murderer be allowed to go free? Should a man intent on murder
be killed? To answer either question, a Jedi must first know the will of the
Force. Neither decision can be made hastily, except where lives are threatened
by inaction.
At the same time, while not judges, Jedi can be mediators. It is a role they
are suited for, and one that works in accord with the Force since mediation
leads to balance.
Discretion
"The galaxy will live in tranquility if certain matters are a bit overlooked
or left unheard."
-Master Odan-Urr
Though Master Odan-Urr believed in justice, he also understood that it was
sometimes necessary for a Jedi to practice discretion. Some have seen this as
a sign of Jedi partisanship. Others, particularly law enforcement agencies,
believe that Jedi should ignore small crimes in order to apprehend greater
criminals. Obviously, neither of these is true.
The truth is that Jedi Knights are suffered throughout the galaxy - despite
ther facility with the Force. This is because the do not actively interfere
with the lives of common people. Jedi stand for order and justice, and these
qualities do not begin with the misdeeds of the few. The Goal of the Jedi should
be to create and preserve an atmosphere where justice can flourish, rather
than to try to create justice themselves.
Master Yoda often said that, should the Republic ever challenge the Jedi Order's
right to exist, the support of the common citizen would see them through: "If
fear us they do, help us they will not. If hate us they do, hunt us they will."
Bravery
"To be brave in battle proves nothing. Bravery itself proves nothing. A Jedi
should be prepared to put aside fear, regret and uncertainty and either fight,
run, surrender or die."
-Master Odan-Urr
Younger Jedi commonly mistake bravery as the opposite of fear. Since fear leads
to the Dark Side, they reason, bravery is armour against the Dark Side. This
isn't so. If a Jedi is mindful of the will of the Force, he will know whether
it is best to stand his ground, or flee, or even to offer truce. Remember that
bravery itself is an emotion, and Jedi should be at peace - even in the midst
of war.