noun

• A non-theistic religion founded in India in the 6th century BC as a reaction against the teachings of orthodox Brahmanism, and still practised there. The Jain religion teaches salvation by perfection through successive lives, and non-injury to living creatures, and is noted for its ascetics.

  See also Svetambara and Digambara

  ‘Like my religion of Jainism, Buddhism teaches this practice of patient restraint.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Jains celebrate the attaining of Moksha (Nirvana, or eternal bliss) by the founder of Jainism, Lord Mahavira.’
  • ‘Even today Jainism is practiced in many parts of India especially in the State of Gujarat and parts of Karnataka.’
  • ‘Nonviolence, ahimsa, the primary basis of vegetarianism, has long been central to the religious traditions of India - especially Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.’
  • ‘Christianity emphasises the importance of love, compassion and service; Islam, the brotherhood of man and Jainism, compassion to all creatures great and small.’