Certianly a very multi-cultural construct, the Jedi are. Samurai are the most clear comparison- but I tell you right now, you wouldn't want hordes of Samurai acting as protectors of the Republic! Altruism didn'tcome into it for the Samurai; serving their Lord was everything. More the sort of people the Empire would employ!
They are closest in philosophy (and indeed, fate) to the Shaolin, but they weren't active enough to make good heroes.