abstract
| - The Great Principle constitutes the ancient code of behaviour for all Kuei-jin, as set down by Xue himself. Each new disciple is commanded to learn and live by its precepts, called the Fivefold Way, in his or her every word and deed. In theory, the Great Principle embodies a Kuei-jin's personal directive of discovering and fulfilling his divine purpose under Heaven to atone for his sins as a mortal. Tightly linked to the Great Principle are the five orthodox Dharmas, that also originated in Xue's teachings. Whether the vampire in question actually does so or not, or whether the vampire's wu and court actually adhere to the teachings, are other matters. In the lands of the Hindukush, most of the Hungry Dead adhere to codes that are at least as old as Xue's teachings, and some Dharmas are labelled heretical because of their rejection of one or more tenets of the Principle. Other protesters find themselves in the Bamboo Princes, young and rebellious Kuei-jin, who want to end the anachronistic and unadjusted teachings of the Ancestors. The Great Principle was first elaborated in the Commentaries of Ki, penned down by Ki, a disciple of the great Arhat.
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