Tirthankara

In Jainism, a Tirthankar ("Fordmaker") is a human who achieved enlightenment, became a Jiva, and whose religious teachings have formed the canon of Jainism; although not Gods, statues of Tirthankars are found in temples. Each Tirthankar is associated with an animal, object, or other such symbol.

Related Topics:
Jainism - Human - Enlightenment - Jiva - Religious - Canon - God - Statue - Temple - Animal - Object - Symbol

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Tirthankars are so-named because they were the founders of "tirtha". which were communities of Jainists said to act as a "ford across the river of human misery".

Related Topics:
Ford - River

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All the Tirthankars are said to have been princes, who adopted asceticism; except for the 19th, which Svetambaras believe to have been a woman.

Related Topics:
Asceticism - Svetambara - Woman

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