Here is a plain, Jain-centered overview of how Jains worship, what prayers they recite, and how it differs from Hindu practices.

What is the purpose of Jain worship

• The focus is on reverence for the Tirthankaras (the enlightened teachers who show the path to liberation) and on inner purification. Worship is not aimed at asking gods for material boons; it is about recollecting right conduct, vows, and the ultimate goal of spiritual liberation (moksha).

Who is honoured in Jain worship

• Tirthankaras: venerable spiritual teachers such as Rishabhanatha, Mahavira, and others.
• Arihants (enlightened beings) and Siddhas (liberated souls) are also honoured as pure exemplars.
• The community’s teachers (gurus) and fellow practitioners may be honoured in certain rituals, but the emphasis remains on spiritual ideals, not on worship of deities.

Common rituals and practices

• Puja in temples and homes: Devotional offerings (flowers, incense, lamps, food, and symbolic items) are made while meditating on the virtues of the Tirthankaras and the path they teach.
• Navkar or Namokar Mantra: This is the central prayer of Jainism. It venerates the five supreme beings and expresses humility:

- Namokar Mantra (short form) roughly translates to honoring the Arihants, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyayas, and Sadhus. It serves as a respectful greeting and reminder of the path.

• Samayik: A short, fixed period (often 48 minutes) of supreme meditation and reflection on right conduct, typically practiced daily.
• Pratikraman: A ritual of reflection and confession, reviewing one’s thoughts and actions and asking forgiveness for moral shortcomings.
• Kayotsarga: A meditative practice of releasing attachment to the body and the external world; often done in quiet contemplation, sometimes as part of longer rituals.
• Pooja materials: Worship typically uses simple, symbolic items (lamp, flowers, incense, water) and emphasizes clean, disciplined behavior rather than elaborate ritualism.
• Fasting and vows: Observing vows (like non-violence, truth, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-attachment) is itself a daily, ongoing act of worship and discipline.

Texts, mantras, and language

• Core mantras include the Namokar Mantra and other dharma-inspired chants that reflect respect for the Tirthankaras and the moral path.
• If you want, I can provide the exact Sanskrit/Prakrit text and a straightforward Jain-only translation.

Key differences from Hindu worship

• Concept of the divine: Hinduism includes a wide range of gods and personal deities who may grant boons; Jainism centers on the path to liberation and venerates perfected beings (Tirthankaras) who have achieved moksha, not a god who controls the world.
• Purpose of worship: Jain worship emphasizes inner purification, ethical living, and contemplation; Hindu worship often includes prayers for blessings, prosperity, and ways to influence the world through devotion (bhakti) to various deities.
• Ritual emphasis: Jain worship tends to be simpler and more focused on moral reflection and self-discipline. Hindu rituals can be highly elaborate, with temple rites, iconography, and a broad spectrum of devotional practices to multiple gods.
• Idols and images: Jain temples feature Tirthankara idols and symbolic images; while Hindu temples also use many deities, the doctrinal emphasis and goals (moksha in Jainism vs. various goals in Hindu paths) differ markedly.
• Attitude toward rituals: Jain practice stresses non-violence (ahimsa) in all conduct, including ritual and daily life; Hindu practices can accommodate a broader set of social and ritual customs, including those with varied interpretations of dharma and ritual purity.

If you’d like, I can provide:

• The exact text of the Navkar Mantra with a simple, Jain-centered translation.
• A short, clear example of a daily Jain prayer or meditation sequence (samayik/pratikraman) in simple terms.
• A brief comparison chart of Digambar and Shwetambar distinctions in practice.

Note: If you want more precise Jain scriptures or liturgical texts, I can present them in a straightforward, Jain-authentic way and explain any differences between Digambar and Shwetambar interpretations.