The Jain religion is more than 5,000 years old.

Its last and 24th tirthankara (prophet), Lord Mahavira, lived in the 6th century B.C., and was a contemporary of Shakyamuni Buddha.

The word Jain is derived form the Parkrit word "jina" (conqueror), someone who has complete control over one's five senses, and who has conquered one's inner enemies such as anger, bitterness, hatred, jealousy, etc.

The traditional greeting of Jains is "Jai Jinendra," which means victory to the Jinas.

Jains have built some of the most magnificent temples in the world.

The five basic tenets of Jainism are ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (not to steal), brahmacharya (to lead a chaste life) and aparigraha (not to accumulate material things).

Jainism's fundamental prayer is called Namokar Mantra, which means bowing down to all great souls.

Jainism does not believe in a creator of the world, but that the universe has no beginning and no end.

There are about 6 million followers of Jainism in the world.

Jainism has two major sects: Digambar (skyclad) and Swetamber (white clad).

Jainism's holy weeks are known as Daslakshna Vrata and Paryushana Parva for respective sects, and are determined by the lunar calendar. This year, the holy week starts Wednesday.

Paryushana literally means monks at rest, something that happens during the monsoon season. During these periods, Jains recite prayers from their holy scriptures, and fast for up to 10 days.

Paryushana is marked by strict observance of 10 cardinal virtues, namely forgiveness, modesty/humility, straightforwardness, contentment, truth, self-restraint, austerity/penance, renunciation, non-attachment, and celibacy/chastity.

The daily routine may consist of prayers, meditation, no meals after sunset, refraining from eating green vegetables, refraining from entertainment, etc.

On the last day of these holy weeks, Jains have their annual prayer, Samvatsari Pratikraman, which literally means annual turning back, and which may last up to three hours. This prayer frequently uses the words "michhami dukkadam," which means that they seek forgiveness from all living creatures they may have harmed, knowingly or unknowingly, by thoughts, by words or by deeds.

The prayer also says that I have friendship with all living creatures, and enmity toward none.

This prayer does not ask for any material things.

The complete Pratikraman, which is in the Prakrit language, and its English translation are available on several Web sites.

For those who want to learn more about Jainism, there are many excellent Web sites.

Harendra Panalal was born and raised as a Jain in Mumbai. He is the treasurer of All Believers Network in Honolulu.