In Jainism, when we say “principles,” we usually mean the basic rules and truths that guide a Jain life.

Very simply, the main Jain principles are:

1. Three Jewels (Ratnatray) – the core path

- Samyak Darshan – Right Faith / Right Vision Having true respect and trust in Tirthankars, Jain scriptures, and the reality of soul and karma. - Samyak Jnan – Right Knowledge Understanding things correctly as taught in Jain philosophy. - Samyak Charitra – Right Conduct Living according to Jain vows and ethics, avoiding sin (pap) and doing punya (good karma).

1. Five Main Vows (Panch Anuvrat for lay Jains, Mahavrat for monks)

- Ahimsa – Non‑violence in thought, word, and action. - Satya – Truthfulness. - Achaurya / Asteya – Not stealing. - Brahmacharya – Control of sensuality; full celibacy for monks. - Aparigraha – Non‑possessiveness, limiting desires and attachment.

1. Seven Fundamental Truths (Sapta Tattva)

These explain how the soul and karma work: - Jiva (soul) - Ajiva (non‑soul, matter, time, space, etc.) - Asrava (inflow of karmas) - Bandh (bondage of karmas) - Samvar (stopping new karmas) - Nirjara (shedding old karmas) - Moksha (liberation)

All Jain practices (puja, fasting, pratikraman, meditation, charity, etc.) are based on these principles.

If you were asking about “principles” in some other specific sense (like school principles, life principles in general, or principles of a certain Jain text), then that would be different, but in Jain Dharma these are the main ones.