The Gray Jedi Code: A Comprehensive Guide to Its Teachings

BioWare’s 2003 video game Knights of the Old Republic is one of the most popular pieces of Star Wars media, appreciated by fans of both the canon and Legends timelines. The game introduced several notable characters, including Jolee Bindo, a former Jedi who lives in exile on Kashyyyk and later joins the player’s party.

Jolee Bindo left the Jedi Order after ongoing disagreements with the High Council, who regarded him as reckless and criticized his frequent disregard for their authority. He serves as an early example of the Gray Jedi archetype in Star Wars, representing a perspective that lies outside the strict codes of both Jedi and Sith.

In this article, we will first explain the concept of a Gray Jedi. Next, we will provide an overview of the Jedi Code to understand how their philosophies differ. Finally, we will delve into the Gray Jedi Code, its mantra, and the beliefs that distinguish Gray Jedi from traditional Jedi and Sith ideologies.

1. What is a Gray Jedi?

The term “Gray Jedi” had two primary meanings. First, it referred to Force users who navigated the balance between the light and dark sides of the Force without fully succumbing to the dark side. Second, it described Jedi who distanced themselves from the Jedi High Council and operated outside the traditional Jedi Code. True Gray Jedi met both criteria and did not adhere to any specific Force tradition. An example of a Gray Jedi is Jolee Bindo, a former Jedi Padawan who served the Old Republic. While the term didn’t always imply the use of both light- and dark-side abilities, some Gray Jedi could wield both. Similar to the term “Dark Jedi,” it was not exclusive to former Jedi but applied to any Force user.

At times, the term also described Jedi who were seen as unorthodox or dissident, failing to meet the strict expectations of the Jedi Order. For instance, Qui-Gon Jinn was often considered a Gray Jedi by some in the Order due to his disagreements with the Jedi High Council. A group of rogue Jedi, known as the Gray Paladins, also adopted the term to describe themselves. They believed in minimal reliance on the Force and favored using blasters, yet they still adhered to most aspects of the Jedi Code.

The origins of the term trace back to the Old Sith Wars, when the Jedi High Council sought to consolidate their power and centralize the Order. Some Jedi believed that the Council lacked the authority to reinterpret the Jedi Code and felt their loyalty should lie solely with the Force. These early Gray Jedi clashed with the Council over changes to the Code, such as restrictions on attachment and limitations on training. During this time, Gray Jedi were often associated with a distinct style of robe, with Bindo wearing a variation of this attire. In later years, the term Gray Jedi was used by the New Jedi Order to describe entire Force traditions that diverged from traditional Jedi views but did not embrace the dark side. Two examples of such groups were the Jensaarai and the Imperial Knights.

2. What is the Jedi Code?

The Jedi Code was a collection of principles and doctrines that guided the actions of the Jedi Order. This code evolved over centuries and was applicable to all Jedi ranks within the Order, including Initiates, Padawans, Knights, and Masters.

One of the guidelines within the Code prohibited any Jedi from training more than one Padawan at any single time. Additionally, the Code represented the Order’s core philosophical values, emphasizing self-discipline, introspection, and restraint, and was designed to help Jedi stay committed to the light side of the Force by avoiding the allure of the dark side.

In the Imperial Era, only a few followers of the Jedi Code remained after the Great Jedi Purge, which nearly eliminated the Order. When the Order was reestablished during the New Republic Era, Jedi Master Luke Skywalker trained his apprentices, including his nephew Ben Solo, to uphold the principles of the Jedi Code.

3. What Is the Gray Jedi Code?

The Gray Jedi Code served as the guiding mantra for all who followed the path of the Gray Jedi, akin to the Jedi and Sith Codes. It was authored by Leor Danal, the first Kage of the order, who claimed to have received its inspiration during a vision experienced in a Force Trance.

4. What Does the Gray Jedi Code’s Mantra Teach?

The Gray Jedi Code’s mantra reflects the core beliefs of Gray Jedi philosophy. It stresses the importance of balance—embracing both light and dark aspects of the Force. Unlike the Jedi Code, which focuses only on peace and restraint, the Gray Jedi Code values passion, knowledge, and power, but always with inner peace and wisdom. This mantra encourages a balanced approach to life, accepting both creation and destruction, and seeing the Force as a guiding principle in all things.

Flowing through all, there is balance.
There is no peace without a passion to create.
There is no passion without peace to guide.
Knowledge fades without the strength to act.
Power blinds without the serenity to see.
There is freedom in life.
There is purpose in death.
The Force is all things, and I am the Force.

5. What Does Balance in the Force Mean for the Gray Jedi?

“Flowing through all, there is balance.“

The Gray Jedi believed that while the Force inherently contained both Light and Dark sides, these aspects were inseparable without severe consequences. If the Sith and the Dark Side gained supremacy, life would spiral into self-destruction and eventually perish. Conversely, if the Jedi and their pursuit of peace gained unchecked control, the galaxy would succumb to stagnation, apathy, and eventual decay. Recognizing the necessity of both aspects, the Gray Jedi maintained that all elements of the Force must be understood and respected.

Balance was a cornerstone of the Gray Jedi philosophy. Without it, the galaxy would inevitably collapse into chaos or inertia. They dedicated themselves to safeguarding this equilibrium, acting as its guardians through their attunement to the Force. The Gray Jedi believed that achieving balance sometimes required morally ambiguous actions, valuing outcomes over methods. While fostering harmony between civilizations was preferred, they were prepared to take drastic measures, even manipulating or destroying entire planets, to restore balance.

6. How Do Passion and Peace Relate in Gray Jedi Philosophy?

“There is no peace without a passion to create.“
“There is no passion without peace to guide.“

For the Gray Jedi, passion was essential for a meaningful existence. Without it, one might fall into endless meditation, neglecting the physical self and the world. However, this passion required the discipline of inner peace to channel it effectively. Passion without peace led to chaos and madness, while peace without passion bred indifference and stagnation.

7. What Is the Connection Between Knowledge, Action, and Power for Gray Jedi?

“Knowledge fades without the strength to act.“
“Power blinds without the serenity to see.“

While the pursuit of truth and understanding was a noble endeavor, the Gray Jedi believed that knowledge was pointless unless applied to create meaningful change. Similarly, power that existed solely to expand itself became hollow and destructive. Both strength and serenity were necessary to wield knowledge and power with purpose.

8. What do Gray Jedi Believe About Life?

“There is freedom in life.“
“There is purpose in death.“

Life, with its inherent chaos and order, thrived on the interplay between these forces. The Gray Jedi accepted this duality as fundamental. Laws sometimes needed breaking, and chaos sometimes needed containment, but neither could be eliminated entirely. This dynamic tension drove the growth, evolution, and renewal of the galaxy. To the Gray Jedi, life was synonymous with change.

9. How Do Gray Jedi Embrace the Entirety of the Force?

“The Force is all things, and I am the Force.“

The Force embodied every facet of existence—Light and Dark, good and evil, life and death, action and reaction, peace and war. The Gray Jedi understood that to protect life, they could not favor or reject any of these aspects. Acknowledging every part of the Force was essential to embrace reality fully. By doing so, the Gray Jedi sought to become complete beings and true custodians of the Force.

10. Is the Gray Jedi Code Canon?

Before talking about the Gray Jedi Code, it’s essential to address whether Gray Jedi themselves are canon. The term “Gray Jedi” is not considered canon. Following Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm, a department known as the Lucasfilm Story Group was established to oversee the canon and timeline of the Star Wars franchise after its partial reboot prior to The Force Awakens. Pablo Hidalgo, a Star Wars Lore Advisor, has repeatedly confirmed that Gray Jedi are not part of the official canon. The term persists largely because fans lack an official term to describe Force-sensitives who align with the traits of Gray Jedi.

In Legends, the term “Gray Jedi” is still in use. However, regarding the concept of balancing the Light and Dark sides of the Force, the Lucasfilm Story Group firmly states that using both sides does not create balance. Instead, they emphasize that tapping into the Dark Side inherently prevents balance, as the Dark Side is fundamentally corruptive and destructive.