The Spiritual and Religion In Star Wars : Concerning "Jedi"

           In StarWars Trilogy, there is a group of characters called "Jedi," which is considered by most as the heroes. But who are the Jedi? Where are they from? These kinds of raised inquiries are unavoidable.

           Ben "Obi-Wan" Kenobi, one of the Jedi, comments: "For over a thousand generations, the Jedi knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times, before the Empire."
           From all the stories we know about Ben Kenobi, he and his Padawan "Anakin Skywalker," the father of Luke Skywalker, are the Jedi masters. However, it is Anakin who is corrupted by Emperor Palpatine and converted to serve the dark side, finally annihilating most of the Jedi on the Empire. At the end, Anakin battles Ben, who is known as Obi-wan at that time, and although the Padawan falls to the volcanic river, he lives and is reborn, this time, as Darth Vader, the most terrifying villain.
    

             After that incident, Obi-Wan goes into hiding, changes his name, and resides on the desert planet Tatooine as the hermit, while the Jedi are being purged and the Empire prospering more than ever.
            And since this storyline of Star Wars, the fourth in the epic series, is narrated to the point when the Jedi has lost their powers and are nearly exterminated, we, therefore, have little information about this group of people. What is there history?  How many are they? How they are regulated ? Why do they become the guardians of the Old Republic?
           

            From the physical appearance, with the dark-colored robes worn by a Middle Age monk and the Lightsabers used as personal equipment, "Jedi" are perceived by other people as weird-looking. Regarding the Lightsabers, it is intriguing to note that despite the technological advance the Jedi still pick this instrument as their choice to fight in a battle, without switching to other weapons.

            Ben Kenobi describes the Lightsabers as "a symbol, apart from being the personal weapon," and that "even though a regular knife or sword can cut, the Lightsabers means someone's identity and not just to cut."

           Jedi are usually a recluse and live away from the crowded society, believing in the ascetic way rather than military (in this aspect even Darth Vader is criticized by his fellow officer that he is too devoted to the "ancient religion"). Moreover, the most important characteristic of the Jedi is their telekinesis and mystical power called "The Force."

           The Jedi combine the principles of "warrior" and "priest" together and are often seen as a spiritual symbol rather than a devastating troop.
           Long time ago the martial art trainings in the East, whether in China or Japan, particularly for the advanced training, were strictly based on philosophy  religious doctrine, faith, and the regard for nature's highest truth. So attached to these elements were they, that these could not be separated from the teaching of martial arts itself, especially for Tai Chi and Baguazhang styles. 
    

           The foundation of these martial arts are based on the philosophy of "Tao." From another perspective, the practice of martial arts is not different of those such as "meditation" or "dharma."
            Each movement performed according to the techniques is not purposed for killing, destroying, nor boasting, but it is regarded as the display of self-understanding towards inner "truth," without having to express a single word.

           Therefore, the masters of martial arts, even though may look like ordinary people, are in fact living like monks with the inclination towards peacefulness, solitude, and righteousness. Despite being a warrior and a learner of the arts which were used in real war, these people apply their knowledge to fight and protect themselves, instead, against the internal war. They are the spiritual warrior. 
 

            Having had the shared characteristics, the Jedi in Star Wars, in a way, reflect this "fighter" / "spiritual warrior" dichotomy. And with the Jedi having a likely origin based on the Eastern philosophy, Star Wars seems to become even more magical, being able to open many "sacred space" in many viewers' hearts.
              Although Star Wars is only a fictional universe built for a purpose of entertainment, the imagination involved is not hopelessly based on some void. Instead, it is drawn from the "reality" of the truth essentially known in the Eastern world.