WHO IS A JINA AND WHO IS A JAIN? The origin of the word Jina is derived from the Sanskrit verb Ji. "Ji" means "to conquer". Those who have conquered their inner weaknesses like anger, ego, deceit, attachment, aversion, jealousy, etc. become Jinas. The Jinas release the self from bondage and live in eternity.

The other names by which the Jinas are known are Arihant, Arhat, Tirthankar, God. So those who practice AHIMSA - not harming any life; ANEKANTAVADA - respecting viewpoints of different traditions; and APARIGRAHA -living the peaceful life of simplicity and realizing the potentiality of divinity in one's own Self are called Jains. Anyone who follows the path of Jinas are called Jains. In this cycle of time there are 24 Tirthankaras (or enlightened teachers) and of the 24 Mahavir was the last.

In the morning after we wake up and before we sleep at night, we remember the Jinas to feel peace, blessedness and be inspired to overcome any hurdle that comes during the day. This way we see opportunitie in difficulties.

WHICH IS THE MAIN PRAYER OF THE JAINS? It is the Navkar Mantra also known as Namaskar Mahamantra:

Namo Arihantam,
Namo Siddhanam,
Namo Ayariyanam,
Namo Uvajjhayanam,
Namo loye savva Sahunam,
Eso Pancha Namukkaro,
Savva Pavva Panasano,
Mangalanam chai Savvesim,
Paddhamam havai Mangalam
I bow to these Arihantas who have overcome weaknesses,
I bow to the Siddhas, the liberated ones,
Achariyas who practice what they preach
To those who are in tune with self-knowledge
To all the souls who are free from greed and  are leading a life of simplicity. 
These five salutations areTHE blessings among all blessings. They remove negative vibrations and  create positive, peaceful vibrations.

WHAT DO JAINS BELIEVE IN? The principal belief is the three Jewels of the three-fold path of Right Belief, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct. To remove ignorance, purify soul and realize the self is the purpose of life.

What are the FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF JAIN philosophy? At the heart of Jain philosophy is the understanding that the soul is intrinsically free andpeaceful. However we are bound to the cycle of reincarnation, death and rebirth by karmas. It is the aim of Jain Dharma to help the soul attain liberation from this cycle. Unless we first understand what soul is, what karma is and how they are related, we cannot become free.

Lord Mahavir said that there is no right conduct without right knowledge and no right knowledge without right belief. Jain philosophy scientifically describes the existence of the soul in the universe by identifying nine fundamental principles. These are JIVA, AJIVA, PUNYA, PAPA, ASRAVA, SAMVARA, BANDHA, NIRJARA , MOKSHA.

DO JAINS BELIEVE IN IDOL WORSHIP Jains do not believe in IDOL worship. In reality for Jains, the images are not for worship but for inspiration and emulation representing the quality and the virtue of the enlightened Jina. Meditating and focusing on their qualities and the ideals we increase our qualities. Whatever we focus on -- increases. Whis way we can evolve and reach the state of enlightenment as they did.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRAYER AND MEDITATION. In prayer we talk to God and in meditation God talks to YOU. In prayers we are busy to express our wants and needs,such as "I pray for you to get $million lottery", or "please help me or so and so to do etc." We forget that God is like the sun, its presence is there all the time. In meditation we have to take time to shut down our senses temporarily: then in this illuminating light, we see our worth, our Divine Self, and we transcend the fear of and we feel our imperishable Self. We are able to open the window to let the sunshine in whether it is God, Buddha, Jesus, or whomever you believe in.