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
Jainist (ˈJainist)
noun, adjective
Jainism in American English
(ˈdʒaɪnˌɪzəm)
noun
a religion of India, founded in the 6th cent. b.c.: it emphasizes asceticism, nonviolence, and reverence for all living things