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

The imagery which depicted gods, goddesses, supreme preachers and enlightened souls of three ancient religions - Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism - was reimagined from symbolic to more recognisably deriving from human form.

From BBC • Jun. 20, 2025

This week’s speakers and presenters will represent Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Baha’i, Hinduism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Sikhism, Indigenous religions, paganism and other beliefs.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 14, 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

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

Briefly it may be regarded as certain that in the early centuries of our era Buddhism, Jainism and Brahmanism all flourished in Dravidian lands.

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