Mahavira is the most influential figure among the Jains. He was born in
599 B.C., “attained omniscience” at age 42, and died (“entered into Nirvana”)
in 527 B.C. In the courtyard fronting the two Jain temples there were two
panels on the walls of the one-story building that served as a bookstore. The
writing on them demonstrated the differences between the Jain and Hindu
religions. One panel was entitled “Jainism, what it Implies.” Among other
things it said: “Jina” is he who has conquered all faults of soul; those who
follow the instructions of Jina are “Jain”; each soul can become a Jina.