The second major source of the Jedi Way is Buddhism, specifically Zen, a variant found largely in Japan. As with most forms of Buddhism, Zen preaches “non-attachment,” the letting go of emotional bonds to people, places and things.
In analysing the six Star Wars movies, five basic contents of Buddhism can be recognised that Lucas had adopted for the Jedi: mindfulness, compassion, interdependence of all being, letting go of things, and illusion.
The Code also embodied the philosophical ideals of the Order, such as discipline, self control, a introspection, and was developed to help the Jedi maintain their devotion to the light side of the Force by rejecting the temptations of the dark side.
The Force and the Jedi religion, Lucas stated, were thus based on all religions in the real-world, as he constructed Star Wars mainly from Methodism—or Christianity, Islam, and Judaism—and Buddhism.
A Buddhist scholar says George Lucas met this Tibetan Buddhist rinpoche and used him as the model for Yoda. “[Rinpoche] had these deep, deep wrinkles on his forehead; it was the model for Yoda in Star Wars,” said Berzin in a talk.
However, the hypothesis has been flatly denied by people who worked on the film—the true inspiration for Yoda was Albert Einstein. It's also widely documented that Lucas drew from several philosophies and religious traditions while making the films, including Zoroastrianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Manichaeism, and Stoicism.
Beyond being a fan of Kurosawa, Lucas was so inspired by the samurai that he created the Jedi, while much of the doctrine surrounding the Force incorporates Buddhist concepts from the time.
Like the Jedi movement, however, a more religious form of the creed, called "Sithism", soon emerged among the Sith. The typical characteristics of Sithism are a belief in a real, dynamic Force that can be subjugated through various practices.
Luke Skywalker's religion was “Jedi” obviously. The writer of the Gospel of Luke was a Christian — but since he converted before the name “Christian” came into use, we can just call him a follower of Jesus.
The Gray Jedi Code was the mantra that all Gray Jedi lived by, similar to the Jedi code or the Sith Code. It was written by the first Kage of the order, Leor Danal. He claimed that the inspiration for the code came to him in a vision while he was in a Force Trance.
During the Clone Wars, Anakin frequently broke Jedi rules but rarely faced punishment due to his effectiveness on the battlefield. At several points, Anakin even committed what would be considered war crimes, setting the stage for his dark turn in Revenge of the Sith.
Becoming the mentor to Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn sought to teach him the best he could. Jinn became a Jedi Master in his own right, a master who developed an independent attitude towards the Jedi Order. Others saw him as a maverick Jedi, one who would disobey the Jedi Code if he felt it was the right decision.
Other possible Chinese influences include the concept of Tao, meaning “the path” or “the way”. A Jedi would most likely think of the force in very similar terms. The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy defines Tao as “the source and principle of the cosmic order”.
Buddhism is one of the world's largest religions and originated 2,500 years ago in India. Buddhists believe that the human life is one of suffering, and that meditation, spiritual and physical labor, and good behavior are the ways to achieve enlightenment, or nirvana.
Summary. Jar Jar Binks's clumsiness may not be genuine, but rather an act to disguise his true nature as a Sith Lord infiltrating the Republic. Palpatine carefully orchestrated events to manipulate the galaxy, and Jar Jar's involvement suggests he may have been the eyes and ears on Naboo.
Legend had it that Yoda—a Jedi who became Grand Master—was trained by N'Kata Del Gormo. A Force-sensitive Hysalrian, N'Kata Del Gormo was trained in the ways of the Force and achieved the rank of Master within the Jedi Order.
But there's more to spirituality in “Star Wars” than Buddhism. Like Zen itself, the saga blends aspects of Taoism and other religious traditions. “The Force,” for example, sounds a lot like the Taoist idea of “chi,” the subtle stream of energy that animates the world.
Along with New Age elements, Lucas developed the Jedi creed by adopting certain elements from Eastern religions—namely Buddhism and potentially Taoism.
That may sound whacky to you, but, in 2015, the U.S. government recognized Jediism as an international ministry and granted its request for tax-exempt status. The movement, which draws inspiration from the mythology of the “Star Wars” films, has had less luck in the United Kingdom.
The series follows members of the knightly order of Jedi as they are persecuted across the galaxy. What many might not know is the idea of the Jedi was heavily influenced by the real history of the Knights Templar.
Although not specifically defined as a Buddhist, the teachings, actions, and style of this character place him similar to a Zen master or Samurai knight.
Many of the film's most iconic ideas, such as the Jedi Order, Sith Lords and the mystical Force have their roots in Buddhism and other Eastern religions. Beyond the spaceships and lightsaber battles, the Star Wars films have a distinct religion and present a conception of the ultimate reality – The Force.
The Force has been described as "an energy field created by all living things" by Obi-Wan, but perhaps the most famous, and most moving, description of the Force comes from Yoda, and can be related to both Taoism and Buddhism: Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us.
