Shalom Edward,
Jainism means teaching of the Jinas, Jina is not a prophet, but a Fordmaker. Jains believe in 24 such Fordmakers (Englightened Masters). The last one being Lord Mahavira. Some of them are said to have lived/survived for trillions of years. The later beings, from 22nd-23rd onwards lived for 10000 yrs and 1000 yrs,so on.. you can find more info on the 24 formakers here :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TirthankarNote that this concept of Fordmaker is new, it does not mean spiritual masters, because Jainism is similar to Buddhism, there is no concept of deity or God, hence no spirituality involved. (Jain temples consist of idols of either of the 24 masters,not of any dieties). They call the person who has totally conquered base sensibilities such as anger, pride, deceit, or desire as their Master/Teachers.
Jainism is an organised religion unlike Hinduism where there are various ways of understanding. Population of Jains must be around 6 million, they are one of the most Literate and most Employed communities in India, I have never come accross a Jain who has lived in poverty.