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Meaning of Jain in English:

Jain

Pronunciation /dʒeɪn/

noun

  • An adherent of Jainism.

    ‘But when Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Sikhs, Christians, and Jews marry, most register at their local temple, mosque, gurudwara, church, or synagogue rather than at city hall.’
    • ‘India is the birthplace of Hinduism as well as Buddhism, motherland of Sikhs and Jains, the abode of more rishis, sadhus, mahatmas, and maharishis than any place on earth.’
    • ‘Buddhiist, Hindus, Jains, Sihks all have differing views of Karma, and there are differences within schools among the large traditions.’
    • ‘Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia, and is also the occasion for celebrations by Jains and Sikhs as well as Hindus.’
    • ‘Reincarnation is believed in by the Jains and the Sikhs, by the Indians of the Americas, and by the Buddhists, certain Jewish sects, the Pagans and the many indigenous faiths.’

adjective

  • Relating to Jainism.

    ‘According to Buddhist accounts, Candragupta converted to Jainism late in life and went to south India where he starved himself to death according to Jain custom.’
    • ‘In July, a group of Jain saints carrying a Jain icon for installation at the prayer hall was stopped from proceeding toward Badrinath.’
    • ‘Followers of Jain religion and a sect of Buddhists are known to propagate the teachings of non-violence and strictly avoid eating meat.’
    • ‘Many wealthy Jain families do not invest in any business that violates their spiritual values - for example, liquor, tobacco, meat and poultry.’
    • ‘In medieval north India, there were pillared mosques and pillared temples - not just Hindu structures, but Buddhist and Jain temples as well.’

Origin

Via Hindi from Sanskrit jaina ‘of or concerning a Jina’ (a great Jain teacher or holy man, literally ‘victor’), from ji- ‘conquer’ or jyā- ‘overcome’.