sb. and a. [Hindī jaina:—Skr. jaina of or pertaining to a Buddha or saint, f. jina a Buddha, a (Jain) saint, lit. ‘overcomer,’ f. root ji conquer, overcome.]
a. sb. A member of a non-Brahminical East Indian sect, established about the sixth century B.C., the principal doctrines of which closely resemble those of Buddhism. b. adj. Of or pertaining to the Jains or their religion.
1805. Colebrooke, in Asiatic Res. (1808), V. 483. In the books of the Jainas. Ibid. A treatise by a Jaina author.
1809. C. Mackenzie, ibid. IX. 244. heading, Account of the Jains. Ibid. Books on the laws, customs, ceremonies and regulations of the Jain religion.
1832. H. H. Wilson, ibid. XVII. 243. Every province of Hindustan can produce Jain compositions, either in Sanscrit or its vernacular idiom.
1839. Penny Cycl., XIII. 73/1. The religious ritual of the Jainas is very simple.
1881. Rhys Davids, in Encycl. Brit., XIII. 543/2. Jains, the most numerous and influential sect of heretics, or nonconformists to the Brahmanical system.
1881. Athenæum, 30 July, 142/2. The Jaina religion is closely connected with Buddhism.
Hence Jainism, the religious system of the Jains; Jainist sb. and a. = JAIN.
1816. G. S. Faber, Orig. Pagan Idol., II. IV. vi. 486. The Jainist or Mahimanian. Ibid., III. VI. iii. 469. Among the Buddhic sect of the Jainists.
1858. J. M. Ludlow, Brit. India, I. 66. The three great forms of religious worship which … have sprung from Hindooism … Buddhism, Jainism, and the Sikh faith.
1893. Nation (N.Y.), 9 March, 182/2. Unfortunately there is no contemporary literature to appeal to, for the Jainist books also are of the later date.
