Jainism

[ jahy-niz-uh m ]

/ ˈdʒaɪ nɪz əm /

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.

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Origin of Jainism

First recorded in 1855–60; Jain + -ism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for jainism

It is in this city, also, that we find a large representation of another ancient cult—Jainism.
India, Its Life and Thought|John P. Jones
The first two gradually decayed and made way for the last, although Jainism remained powerful until the tenth century.
Hinduism And Buddhism, Volume II. (of 3)|Charles Eliot
But it must be remembered that even in Jainism Buddha is only a memory.
A Tour of the Missions|Augustus Hopkins Strong
One of the leading characteristics of Jainism is its love of life, even in its lowest manifestation.
India, Its Life and Thought|John P. Jones

Jainism had a distinguished but chequered career in the south.
Hinduism and Buddhism, Vol I. (of 3)|Charles Eliot

British Dictionary definitions for jainism

Jainism

/ (ˈdʒaɪˌnɪzəm) /

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 forms of Jainism

Jainist, 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