In my history as a Jedi I have worked with several codes; mostly by the insistence of others. It was not until the Armonia Code would I say I finally found a code that is my “own”, despite it being as much influenced by the other architects of said code; it is one which reflects what I value as a Jedi. As usual with my warts and all approach; I have dived into my archive of old teachings, and lessons, and drudged them up as a potential learning experience for others. The first code I ever encountered was at Real Jedi Knights (RJK) and was the infamous Jedi Creed (or Luke Skywalker Code). Below is my interpretation of said code from my time as an instructor at the RJK:
The Jedi Code
This as you know is the whole code;
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.
Now to look at each line individually.
Jedi are the guardians of peace in the galaxy.
This is a critical line, as all are, however, this is the clearest cut one. We are guardians of peace and thus, unless it breaks our other tenets, we seek to preserve peace for as long as possible. As guardians of peace we must realize that it is fragile and as impermanent as everything else, peace ends at one point and that is why we are warriors. To have peace one must prepare for war, to maintain and to restore peace, for conflict is inevitable. So, in conclusion apart from what the line literally means a Jedi must understand peace is impermanent and must be fought for and that is why we are warriors.
Jedi use their powers to defend and protect, never to attack others.
A misunderstood line at best. What if a pre-emptive movement saves more lives than can be done waiting? Defending yes one never makes a pre-emptive strike however protecting implies the guarding of a person’s life there if a pre-emptive strike would save their life and other people’s lives the right thing to do would be to make it but apparently the code prevents it. That is where the loophole lies, attacking someone is never allowed, however, if they have any intention to harm you or others striking before they do is an act of self-defence, not an attack. However, using your powers to kill is wrong especially if done in an attack.
Jedi respect all life, in any form.
Some would say there is no need to go into this since it should be read exactly as what it says, which is true in many ways. However, and life has many forms and there are many forms of respect. Three things to remember, choices, all life makes them, the right to live as life wants, and the right to die. If you remember those three rules as well as this, all choices are justifiable, aim to allow life to live as it wants and preserve life, but when it comes time for life to die let it because death is a part of life. If you remember such simple rules following this part of the code is relatively simple.
Jedi serve others rather than ruling over them, for the good of the galaxy.
I think Master Mi-Zhe Fu exemplified this line the best when he stated the answer to the rhetorical question; The Jedi are the most powerful group in the galaxy, yet they choose to use their power to serve others, but why?
The answer is simple: A Jedi knows that all life is important and should be cherished. To rule over it would reduce the freedoms that all life has. The only way to benefit the galaxy is to help it along a good path, and to protect what is good.
Jedi protect life from tyranny from without but do not rule over others for we may be urged to impose our ideals on others and if we do so we commit tyranny from within which we abhor and, we betray those we protected by becoming what we protect them from. So, it is important to remember that even if you come across a culture that does things against your own moral code do not impose your moral code on others or you become evil in your own and the Jedi order’s eyes by becoming a ruler. Try to steer them away from their dark path but leave if you can do no good.
Jedi seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training.
The most introverted part of the code at first glance however it is more in-depth than that. Jedi improve themselves so that they may help others, always remember that. The knowledge you gain and the training you undergo are to allow you to help others, they are not to be used for personal gain. Remember though that knowledge is not power, it is how you use that knowledge that equates power. So, use what power you must help others and always stay within the tents of the code.
I would hope the flaws in the arguments I wrote from those years are obvious to the reader. It is far too significantly martially minded; but that was both my own short-sightedness but the very nature of the code itself. It leaves no other conclusions except the martial, and discussion on life and death. Even Jedi respect all life is a line that inevitably comes back to the damage an individual can do; ultimately, this code is about what a Jedi should not do, as much as what it means to be a Jedi. Respect life so as not to destroy is; rather than respect life because it is a joyous, wonderful thing. So long as they are alive, so long as you are alive; you can change your world. The message I believe is more relevant to a real Jedi, and one I believe is reflected in the Armonia Code.
Chronologically; the next code I encountered was technically the Tenebrae Surgunt Code, written by my mentor and friend Jesse Bendyn. However, the code he developed was a derivative, and an answer to the No/Is Code (Jedi Mantra on Wookiepedia). I first encountered said code when I joined the Force Academy’s Light Aspect after a hiatus away from the Online Jedi community. Over the next few weeks, you will get to see how I responded to discussion questions at Tenebrae Surgunt that related to the No/Is Code.