Jainism

American  

[jahy-niz-uhm] / ˈdʒaɪ nɪz əm /

noun

1. 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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Jainism British  

/ ˈdʒaɪˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. 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

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Other Word Forms

• Jainist noun

Etymology

Origin of Jainism

First recorded in 1855–60; Jain + -ism

Compare meaning

How does jainism compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Jainism vs. Hinduism

Example Sentences

For Jains, it's about the moment Jainism founder Lord Mahavira reached a state of being known as Moksha, or eternal bliss.

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2023

There will be exemptions for artistic, academic or religious use of swastikas, which has a spiritual significance in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.

From Reuters • Jun. 8, 2023

The show, which was organized by Adriana Proser, now a curator at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, is certainly varied, with images from Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism and Islam.

From New York Times • Apr. 26, 2023

Vegetarianism was practiced as early as the fifth century B.C. in India, and it is strongly linked with a number of religious traditions worldwide, such as Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism.

From Salon • Jan. 26, 2023

The available records contain clearer statements about the persecution of Jainism than of Buddhism but no doubt the latter came in for some rough handling, though not enough to annihilate a vigorous sect.

From Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 2 by Eliot, Charles, Sir