It is the heart and spirit of the people. It defines how we cat and what we believe and what is right and what is wrong and how we live and how we die. It is who we are.

--Robert Crais, Stalking the Angel

The Great Principle constitutes the ancient code of behavior for all Kuei-jin. It is the single most importatn teaching in Cathayan society. Each new disciple is commanded to learn and live by its precepts, called the Fivefold Way, in his or her every word and deed. Whether the vampire in question actually does so or not, or whether ther vampire's wu and court actually adhere to the teachings, are other matters. Still, the Great Principle provides a theoretical framework linking all Kuei-jin in the Middle Kingdom.

The Fivefold Way, in contrast to the Six Traditions of the Western Kindred, acts as much more than a fundamental code of laws. The Fivefold Way is literally that: a way of life. It permeates practically all facets of Cathayan existence, both individual, and communal. The Great Principle embodies a Kuei-jin's personal directive of discovering and fulfilling his devine purpose.

The Fivefold Way functions as a guide to realizing that fulfillment, yed adherence and devotion to its precepts vary as much as everything esle in Kuei-jin society. many of the older and more established courts, particularly ones that have their origins in China proper, follow the Fivefold Way with unwavering diligence. As one travels farther out from teh core of Kuei-jin society, culteral differences and plitical cercumstances result in differing levels of interpretation of the one correct way of unlife for Kuei-jin - if there is indeed one "correct" way.

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