Dictionary
Jain•ism
Pronunciation: ( jī'niz-um), [key]—
n.
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, esp. through asceticism and nonviolence toward all living creatures.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.