The Jedi are a celibate group similar to Buddhist monks who learn to master the force to protect those in need. They follow principles such as respecting all life and not forming emotional attachments. Padawans become knights by passing tests, and masters train them. Luke Skywalker restores the Jedi Council and changes the rule against emotional attachments.
The Jedi are George Lucas’ creation for his Star Wars films. They are a celibate group, very similar in many ways to Buddhist monks, learning to master the force, the living energy that exists in all things, to serve and protect those in need. The concept of the force and the history of the Order is fully fleshed out in George Lucas’ second Star Wars trilogy, episodes 1-3 taking place before Luke Skywalker’s quest to bring down the Empire and the Sith in the previous series.
Particularly in Attack of the Clones you get a fairly comprehensive concept of the Jedi way of life, the political structure of the Order and the training required to become a Jedi Knight. The training, however, clearly emphasizes self-sacrifice as shown in The Phantom Menace.
When Master Qui-Gon Jinn discovers young Anakin Skywalker on Tatooine, he urges him to train as a Jedi and leave his mother behind. Trainees, often called youngsters, leave their families when they are just seven or eight years old. They are usually identified as having a high probability of being able to manipulate force.
At age 13, a Jedi Knight or Jedi Master must choose a young man to be a Padawan student. He or she then goes on to learn the force and the Jedi way with his or her Master’s primary training. Young men who are not chosen as Padawan may return to their families or work as a support in a variety of fields.
The Padawan becomes a full knight by passing trials, which are not fully explained by Lucas in any of the films. Yoda recognizes Luke Skywalker as a knight after his first confrontation with Darth Vader in The Empire Strikes Back. Luke has clearly passed the equivalent of tests.
Books not written by Lucas have referenced several tests a Padawan must pass before being knighted. Clearly not all Jedi accept these tests. Obi-Wan Kenobi gains Knight status after defeating Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace. There are standard tests to demonstrate the Jedi’s ability to remain calm and focused, not to give in to emotion, and to be proficient with a lightsaber.
A Jedi Master is the highest rank, reserved for those who train a Padawan. Obi-Wan Kenobi is ultimately a Master, in Star Wars even if his Anakin training is a disaster. Yoda is the Supreme Master, however.
Some Masters serve on the Jedi Council, a peacekeeping organization that helps advise the Republic. The Council is destroyed through the efforts of Emperor Palpatine and Anakin. According to books not written by Lucas, Luke restores the Council and is considered its nominal head after restoring the Order.
Jedi beliefs are governed by several basic principles, leaning heavily on many Eastern religious concepts of this world. The concept of strength is comparable to the Hindu concept of prana, or the Asian idea of qi or chi. The way of life draws much from both Buddhist and Catholic orders of monks and nuns.
Jedi must understand the following principles:
They are keepers of the peace and use their mastery of strength to protect rather than attack.
They must have a high respect for all life.
They do not seek to govern, but serve others who govern.
They are constantly learning by acquiring more knowledge and continuing education.
They do not form emotional or romantic attachments.
Novels covering the time period following the Empire’s destruction suggest that Luke changed the last rule, especially since his father’s forbidden marriage to Padme is seen as a path to the dark side. Forming attachments and showing some emotion is permitted under Luke’s re-establishment of the Order. Additionally, both Luke and Luke’s sister Leia, who learns the Jedi arts, marry others and have children.
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