Tirthankara

In Jainism, a Tīrthaṅkara (Sanskrit: तीर्थंकर "ford-Maker", Tamil: கடவுள் Kaṭavuḷ) is a human being who in addition to achieving liberation and enlightenment (Arihant ) by destroying all of their soul constraining (ghati) karmas, became a role-model and leader for those seeking spiritual guidance. Thirthankaras revitalise Jain Society by organisation of four fold Jain Order consisting of monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen. Not all Arihants can become Thirthankaras. There are 24 Thirthankar in this time era and each of them revitalized the Jain Order.

Overview

Tīrthaṅkaras religious teaching form the basis for Jain canons. The inner knowledge of all Tīrthaṅkaras is perfect and identical in every respect and their teachings do not contradict one another. However, the degree of elaboration varies according to the spiritual advancement and purity of the society during their period of leadership. The higher the spiritual advancement and purity of mind of the society, the lower the elaboration required.

At the end of his human life-span, a Tīrthaṅkara achieves siddha status, ending the cycle of infinite births and deaths.

Jainism postulates that time has no beginning or end. It moves like the wheel of a cart. Jains believe that exactly twenty-four Tīrthaṅkaras are born in each half-cycle of time in this part of the universe. The first Tīrthaṅkara is Rishabha, who is credited for formulating and organising humans to live in a society harmoniously. The 24th and last Tīrthaṅkara was Mahavira (599-527 BC). Digambara Jains believe that all twenty-four Tīrthaṅkaras were men, but Svetambara Jains believe that the 19th Tīrthaṅkara, Mallinath, was a woman.

Particular Tīrthaṅkaras

Tīrthaṅkar images are usually seated with their legs crossed in front, the toes of one foot resting close upon the knee of the other, and the right hand lying over the left in the lap.

Digambara representations are nude however those of the Svetambaras are decorated with crowns and ornaments. They are further distinguished from one another in representations by their attendant Yakshas and Yakshinis, as well as by their associated symbol or Lanchans (cognizances) carved on the cushions of their thrones.

All but two of the Jains are ascribed to the Ikshvaku dynasty. Munisuvrata, the twentieth, and Neminatha, the twenty-second, were of the Harivamsa. Jain canons state that Rishabha, the first Tīrthaṅkara, founded the Ikshvaku.

Twenty Tīrthaṅkaras achieved siddha status on Sammet Sikhar. Vasupujya attained nirvana at Champapuri in North Bengal; Neminatha on Mount Girnar in Gujarat; and Mahavira, the last at Pawapuri, near modern Bihar's capital, Patna.

Twenty-one of the Tirthakaras are said to have attained Moksha in the kayotsarga “standing mediation” posture and Rishabha, Nemi and Mahavira in the padmasana “lotus throne” posture.

Narration Chart of 24 Tirathankars

The total length of the lifespans of all 24 Tīrthaṅkaras combined equals 2.603672 Sextillion years.

Living Tīrthaṅkaras

At present time and age, there are no living Tīrthaṅkaras on this Earth. The last living on Earth in this age was Mahavira, who attained omniscience some 2500 years ago.

Nevertheless, Jains believe the universe is never devoid of living Tīrthaṅkaras at any point of time, even though they may at times exist only in other parts of the universe.

See also

• Ahimsa in Jainism
• Deshna
• Dharma (Jainism)
• Jain cosmology
• Karma in Jainism
• Moksa (Jainism)
• Samsara (Jainism)
• Tattva (Jainism)
• Types of Karma

References

• http://www.sacred-texts.com/jai/sbe22/sbe2288.htm
• http://www.jain24.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=60&Itemid=27&limitstart=12
• http://www.jaine.org/Science/General%20Science/article_210.php

External links

• AtmaDharma.com Library of Jain Literature in English, Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Prakrit & Sanskrit) - all freely downloadable.
• www.jaina.org
• www.jainsamaj.org
• JainReligion.in Jain Dharma, Jain Tīrthaṅkara, Jainism, Jain Songs.