Jainism

[jahy-niz-uh m]

noun

a dualistic religion founded in the 6th century b.c. as a revolt against current Hinduism and emphasizing the perfectibility of human nature and liberation of the soul, especially through asceticism and nonviolence toward all living creatures.

Origin of Jainism

First recorded in 1855–60; Jain + -ism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for jainism

Historical Examples of jainism

But it must be remembered that even in Jainism Buddha is only a memory.
A Tour of the Missions
Augustus Hopkins Strong
Jainism had a distinguished but chequered career in the south.
Hinduism and Buddhism, Vol I. (of 3)
Charles Eliot
The beauty of Jainism finds its best expression in architecture.
Hinduism and Buddhism, Vol I. (of 3)
Charles Eliot
It is a celebrated stronghold of Jainism, and here is another most splendid temple.
A Tour of the Missions
Augustus Hopkins Strong
Jainism, like every other heathen system, is an effort to earn salvation by labors and sacrifices of one's own.
A Tour of the Missions
Augustus Hopkins Strong

British Dictionary definitions for jainism

Jainism

noun

an ancient Hindu religion, which has its own scriptures and believes that the material world is eternal, progressing endlessly in a series of vast cycles

Derived FormsJainist, noun, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for jainism

Jainism

1858, from Jain + -ism. Jainist is attested from 1816.