Jainism

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Jainism \Jain"ism\, n.
     The heterodox Hindu religion, founded in the 6th century as a
     revolt against Hinduism; its most striking features are the
     exaltation of saints or holy mortals, called jins, above the
     ordinary Hindu gods, and the denial of a supreme being and of
     the divine origin and infallibility of the Vedas. Also, the


     sect comprising those adhering to Jainism. Jainism believes
     in immortality and the transmigration of the soul. It is
     intermediate between Brahmanism and Buddhism, having some
     things in common with each.
     [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  Jainism
       n 1: sect founded in the 6th century BC as a revolt against
            Hinduism
       2: religion founded in the 6th century BC as a revolt against
          Hinduism; emphasizes asceticism and immortality and
          transmigration of the soul; denies existence of a perfect
          or supreme being