This also related to the concept of kokutai or national polity, meaning the uniqueness of the Japanese people in having a leader with spiritual origins. The pamphlet "Kokutai no Hongi" taught that students should put the nation before the self, and that they were part of the state and not separate from it. "Shinmin no Michi" injoined all Japanese to follow the central precepts of loyalty and filial piety, which would throw aside selfishness and allow them to complete their "holy task."