Several versions of the Jedi Code exist, though the original version was:

“Emotion, yet peace.

Ignorance, yet knowledge.

Passion, yet serenity.

Chaos, yet harmony.

Death, yet the Force.”

The refined version established by Odan-Urr was perhaps the best known:

“There is no emotion, there is peace.

There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.

There is no passion, there is serenity.

(There is no chaos, there is harmony.) *sometimes left out*

There is no death, there is the Force.”

—The Jedi Code (Based on the meditations of Odan-Urr)

There is no emotion, there is peace

Emotions are a natural part of living. As the great sagas have shown us, Jedi are not immune to feeling emotions. This tenet is not to say that emotion does not exist but that it ought to be set aside. Emotions must be understood first, and it is a young Jedi's duty to explore his feelings. Unless a Jedi can confront his thoughts and feelings, he will never achieve peace. Emotions, then, are not to be overcome or denied, but rather understood and dealt with. This tenet could be modified to read, "Emotion cannot take away my peace."

There is no ignorance, there is knowledge

A Jedi must be circumspective and try to understand the world that is surrounding him. That ignorance does not exist is, of course, a flat-out lie or gross misunderstanding. Simply ignoring facts that do not fit with one's viewpoint is equally foolhardy. Ignorance is a part of life but it must not be feared. For more knowledge to light their way, the Jedi Temple Archives contain possibly the single largest source of information in the galaxy, but this tenet also reminds the Knight that knowledge can be taken from the most unusual places. This tenet is what gives the Jedi his open mind and ability to accept what other beings would tend to see as unacceptable, unbounded by preconceived notions, unfettered by rigid thought, and unhampered by doubt. In other words, this tenet points out that often a Jedi must use not only his rational mind but also his intuitive mind in order to ascertain the truth of a situation.

There is no passion, there is serenity

This tenet is more than a repetition of the first. It refers more directly to situations of extreme stress in which a Jedi might be tempted to react strongly, or be so focused on the task and not the goal. That a Jedi must draw his weapon only in defense is an expression of this tenet, keeping all other options open. While emotions and intuition must be understood and utilized in a Jedi's daily life, they must be checked, lest the Jedi act rashly and lose objectivity. Passionate use of power leads to the dark side. A Jedi must always act with a calm hand and an even temper. "when in doubt, stay your hand", observing each situation as clearly as the Force sees it, not clouded with unbridled passion.

There is no chaos, there is harmony

This statement reflects the cosmology of the Jedi Order. Whereas uninitiated beings see the universe as a chaotic and disconnected place, a Jedi realizes that all things are interconnected and, more importantly, interdependent, in a never-ending cycle of balance. While an uninitiated being sees sorrow and tragedy in the workings of the universe, through the Force, a Jedi is able to interpret and understand even the most painful of life's events. Every event has a purpose. Minor inconveniences such as failure, disappointment, and disagreement are also inevitable and should be taken in stride. Jedi do not deny the fact that tragic and terrible things happen; they merely point out that tragedy is simply another part of life. This too leads to a balanced, objective, and realistic view of existence.

There is no death, there is the Force

A common argument is merely observing a thing affects a thing, preventing those ware of their own finite existence from truly seeing the world as the Force sees it. A Jedi, like many ancient feudal knights of various empires, must always be ready for death, and not obsess nor be ruled by it. As a warrior not only in combat but also in day-to-day life, it is easy to fail and fall, then rise up without distraction or attachment holding the Jedi back. The sense of loss is often even greater for one who feels it with the Force, and it is difficult to maintain equilibrium. Death, however, is not a tragedy and is merely a part of the life cycle. Without death, life could not exist.

The Force in us, still lives on after we die. This tenet represents the view of the Jedi Order that accepts, indeed embraces, death and life, rot and growth, corruption and purity, not as opposites but as dual pairs, each can't exist without the other, as nature intends. As such, Jedi do not fear death nor do they mourn it overmuch; a Jedi, after all, must celebrate death if he is to also celebrate life. This tenet is often quoted upon a Jedi's death, sometimes referring to becoming one with the force, or even as living forever as a force ghost. This tenet also reminds the Jedi that death is a transitory state for any living being and is not truly an end to one's life, but merely the beginning of the next stage of one's journey. Through the Force, existence continues both as a constant state of connection to all living things as well as through the state of afterlife which follows death. Death, as perceived by the living, is an illusion and the Jedi must strive to remember this, as it removes what is often seen as the ultimate instinctual fear. When the Jedi have accepted the natural place of their own ending as well as the knowledge that whether they prevail or fall, the Force will remain with them, it becomes easier for a Jedi to put those fears aside and focus on the matters at hand.

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The Jedi Code can be separated into three subjects: Self-Discipline, Responsibility and Public Service.

Self Discipline

Conquer Arrogance, Conquer Overconfidence, Conquer Defeatism, Conquer Stubbornness, Conquer Recklessness, Conquer Curiosity, Conquer Aggression, Conquer External Loyalties, Conquer Materialism.

Responsibility

Practice Honesty, Honor your Promises, Honor your Padawan, Honor your Master, Honor the Jedi Council, Honor the Jedi Code, Honor the Law, Honor Life.

Public Service

Duty to the Republic, Render Aid, Defend the Weak, Provide Support.

Miscellaneous tenets

Here can be read a number of miscellaneous tenets which are not mentioned in the Code, but should be known for all Jedi. · The Jedi are the guardians of civilization, yet do not allow civilization to destroy needlessly. · A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for aggression or personal gain. · A corollary of the Code was "A Jedi does not act for personal power." · The lightsaber is the symbol of the members of the Jedi Order. · Jedi do not marry (with some exceptions), in order to avoid attachment. However, in many periods of the Order's history, such as the era prior to Exar Kun (tOR Era) and in Luke Skywalker's reformed Jedi Order, marriage was not forbidden. That being said, chastity was enforced in many periods of the Order's history. · Jedi respect each other, and all other life forms. · Jedi put the needs of the community above the needs of individuals. · A Jedi protect the weak and defenseless from evil. · Jedi always cooperate in battle or crisis. · Jedi are forbidden from ruling others. · A Jedi will not kill an unarmed opponent. · A Jedi will not take revenge. · A Jedi does not cling to the past. · The Jedi do not believe in killing their prisoners.

References

• Wookieepedia
• Star Wars Role-playing game supplement: the Jedi Academy Training Manual – (ISBN:978-0-7869-5183-3)