Tirthankara

From Buddhist Encyclopedia

In Jainism, a Tirthankar ("Fordmaker") (also Tirthankara or Jina) is a human who achieves enlightenment (perfect knowledge), through asceticism. S/he becomes a Jina (after totally conquering anger, pride, deceit, desire, etc.). A Tirthankar is the founder of a "Tirth", a Jain community which acts as a "ford" across the "river of human misery".

After achieving enlightenment, a Tirthankar shows others the path to enlightenment. His/her religious teachings form the Jain canons. The inner knowledge of all Tirthankars is perfect and identical in every respect, for the teachings of one Tirthankar do not contradict those of another. However, the degree of elaboration varies according to the spiritual advancement and purity of humans during that period. The higher the spiritual advancement and purity of mind, the lower the elaboration required.

At the end of his/her human life-span, a Tirthankar achieves liberation ('moksh' or 'nirvan'), ending the cycle of infinite births and deaths.

Jainism states time has no beginning or end. It moves like the wheel of a cart. There have been an infinite number of time cycles before our present era and there will be an infinite number of time cycles after this age. At the beginning of the twenty first century, we are approximately 2,530 years into the fifth era of the present half cycle.

Twenty four Tirthankars are born in each half cycle of time (that is forty eight in each full cycle), in this part of the universe. In our current (descending) half cycle of time, the first Tirthankar Rishabh Dev, lived billions of years ago and attained liberation ('moksh' or 'nirvan') towards the end of the third era. The 24th and last Tirthankar was Mahavir Swami (599-527 BC), whose existence is a historically accepted fact. Digambaras believe that all twenty four Tirthankars were men but Svetambaras believe that the 19th Tirthankar, Malli Nath, was a woman.

The next Tirthankar in our part of the universe will be born at the beginning of the third era of the next (ascending) half cycle of time, in approximately 81,500 years.

As Tirthankars direct us to enlightenment, their statues are worshipped in Jain temples by Jains aspiring to achieve enlightenment. Tirthankars are not God or gods. Jainism does not believe in the existence of God in the sense of a creator, and gods are beings superior to humans but, nevertheless, not fully enlightened.

Particular Tirthankars

The images of the Tirthankaras are always represented seated with their legs crossed in front--the toes of one foot resting close upon the knee of the other; and the right hand lies over the left in the lap. All are represented exactly alike except that Parsvanatha, the twenty-third, has the snake-hoods over him; and, with the Digambaras, Suparsva--the seventh, has also a smaller group of snake hoods. The Digambara images are all quite nude; those of the Svetambaras are represented as clothed, and they decorate them with crowns and ornaments. They are distinguished from one another by their attendant Yakshas and Yakshinis as well as by their respective chihnas or cognizances which are carved on the cushion of the throne.

All the Jinas are ascribed to the Ikshvaku family (kula)except the twentieth Munisuvrata and twenty-second Neminatha, who were of the Harivamsa race.

All received diksha or consecration at their native places; and all obtained jnana or complete enlightenment at the same, except Rishabha who became a Kevalin at Purimatala, Nemi at Girnar, and Mahavira at the Rijupaluka river; and twenty of them died or obtained moksha (deliverance in bliss) on SametaSikhara . But Rishabha, the first, achieved nirvana on the Kailasa Mountain the Himalayas; Vasupujya died at Champapuri in north Bengal; Neminatha on mount Girnar; and Mahavira, the last, at Pavapur.

Twenty-one of the Tirthakaras are said to have attained Moksha in the Kayotsarga posture, and Rishabha, Nemi, and Mahavira on the padmasana or lotus throne.

For sake of brevity the following particulars for each Arhat are given below in serial order viz.:--

(1) The  vimana or vahana (heaven) from which he
    descended for incarnation.

(2) Birthplace, and place of consecration or diksha.

(3) Names of father and mother.

(4) Complexion.

(5) Cognizance--chihna or lanchhana.

(6) Height; and

(7) Age.

(8) Diksha-vriksha or Bodhi tree.

(9) Yaksha and Yakshini, or attendant spirits.

(10) First Ganadhara or leading disciple, and first

    Arya or leader of the female converts.

I. Rishabhadeva, Vrishabha, Adintha or Adisvara Bhagavan:--(I) Sarvarthasiddha; (2) Vinittanagari in Kosala and Purimatala; (3) Nabhiraja by Marudeva; (4) golden--varna-, (5)the bull,--_vrisha, balada;_ (6) 500 poles or _dhanusha_; (7) 8,400,000 purva or great years; (8) the Vata or banyan tree; (9) Gomukha and Chakresvari; (10) Pundarika and Brahmi.

II. Ajitanatha: (1) Vijayavimana; (2) Ayodhya; (3) Jita['s]atru by Vijayamata; (4) golden; (5) the elephant--_gaja_ or _hasti_; (6) 450 poles; (7)7,200,000 purva years; (8) ['S]ala--the Shorea robusta; (9) Mahayaksha and Ajitabala: with the Digambaras, the Yakshi[n.]i is Rohi[n.]i-yakshi; (10) ['S]i[.m]hasena and Phalgu.

III. Sambhavanatha: (1) Uvarimagraiveka;(2) Savathi or Sravasti; (3) Jitari by Senamata; (4) golden; (5) the horse,--_asva, ghoda_; (6) 400 poles; (7) 6,000,000 purva years; (8) the Prayala--Buchanania latifolia; (9) Trimukha and Duritari (Digambara--Prajnapti); (10) Charu and Syama.

IV. Abhinandana: (1) Jayantavimana; (2) Ayodhya; (3) Sambararaja by Siddhartha; (4) golden; (5) the ape,--_plavaga, vanara_ or _kapi_; (6) 350 poles; (7) 5,000,000 purva years; (8) the Priyangu or Panicum italicum; (9) Nayaka and Kalika, and Digambara--Yakshesvara and Vajrasrinkhala; (10) Vajranabha and Ajita.

V. Sumatinatha: (1) Jayantavimana; (2) Ayodhya; (3) Megharaja by Mangala; (4) golden; (5) the curlew,--_krauncha_, (Dig. _chakravakapaksha_--the Brahmani or red goose); (6) 300 poles; (7) 4,000,000 purva years; (8) Sala tree; (9) Tumburu and Mahakali (Dig. Purushadatta); (10) Charama and Kasyapi.

VI. Padmaprabha: (1) Uvarimagraiveka; (2) Kausambi; (3) Sridhara by Susima; (4) red (_rakta_); (5) a lotus bud--_padma, abja_, or _kamala_; (6) 250 poles; (7) 3,000,000 purva years; (8) the Chhatra --(Anethum sowa?); (9) Kusuma and Syama (Dig. Manovega or Manogupti); (10) Pradyotana and Rati.

VII. Suparsvanatha: (1) Madhyamagraiveka; (2) Varanasi; (3) Pratish[t.]haraja by P[r.]ithvi; (4) golden; [Footnote: The Digambara describe the colours of the seventh and twenty-first Jinas as _marakada_ or emerald coloured.] (5) the swastika symbol; (6) 200 poles; (7) 2,000,000 purva years; (8) the Sirisha or Acacia sirisha; (9) Matanga and Santa;--Digambara, Varanandi and Kali; (10) Vidirbha and Soma.

VIII. Chandraprabha: (1) Vijayanta; (2) Chandrapura; (3) Mahasenaraja by Lakshmana; (4) white--_dhavala, subhra_; (5) the moon--_chandra or sasi_; (6) 150 poles; (7) 1,000,000 purva years; (8) the Naga tree; (9) Vijaya and Bhrikuti: Digambara--Syama or Vijaya and Jvalamalini; (10) Dinna and Sumana.

IX. Suvidhinatha or Pushpadanta: (1) Anatadevaloka; (2) Kanandinagari; (3) Sugrivaraja by Ramarani; (4) white; (5) the Makara (Dig. the crab--_edi_); (6) 100 poles; (7) 200,000 purva years; (8) theSali; (9) Ajita and Sutaraka: Digambara--Ajita and Mahakali or Ajita; (10) Varahaka and Varuni.

X. Sitalanatha: (1) Achyutadevaloka; (2)Bhadrapura or Bhadilapura; (3) Dridharatha-raja by Nanda; (4) golden; (5) the Srivatsa figure: (Dig. _Sri-vriksha_ the ficus religiosa); (6) 90 poles; (7) 100,000 purva years; (8) the Priyangu tree; (9) Brahma and Asoka (Dig. Manavi); (10) Nanda and Sujasa.

XI. Sreyamsanatha or Sreyasa: (1) Achyutadevaloka; (2) Simhapuri; (3) Vishnuraja by Vishna; (4) golden; (5) the rhinoceros--_khadga, genda_: (Dig. Garuda); (6) 80 poles; (7) 8,400,000 common years; (8) the Tanduka tree; (9) Yakshet and Manavi: Digambara--Isvara and Gauri; (10) Kasyapa and Dharani.

XII. Vasupujya: (1) Pranatadevaloka; (2) Champapuri; (3) Vasupujya by Jaya; (4) ruddy--_rakta_, Guj. _ratun_; (5) the female buffalo--_mahishi, pada_; (6) 70 poles; (7) 7,200,000 common years; (8) the Patala or Bignonia suaveolens; (9) Kumara and Chanda (Dig. Gandhari); (10) Subhuma and Dharani.

XIII. Vimalanatha: (1) Mahasaradevaloka; (2) Kampilyapura; (3) Kritavarmaraja by Syama; (4) golden; (5) a boar--_sakara, varaha_; (6) 60 poles; (7) 6,000,000 years; (8) the Jambu or Eugenia jambolana; (9) Shanmukha and Vidita (Dig. Vairo[t.]i); (10) Mandara and Dhara.

XIV. Anantanatha or Anantajit: (1) Pranatadevaloka; (2) Ayodhya; (3) Simhasena by Suyasah or Sujasa; (4) golden; (5) a falcon--_syena_ (Dig. _bhalluka_ a bear); (6) 50 poles; (7) 3,000,000 years; (8) the Asoka or Jonesia asoka; (9) Patala and Ankusa (Dig. Anantamati); (10) Jasa and Padma.

XV. Dharmanatha: (1) Vijayavimana; (2) Ratnapuri; (3) Bhanuraja by Suvrita; (4) golden; (5) the thunderbolt--_vajra_; (6) 45 poles; (7) 1,000,000 years; (8) Dadhiparna tree (Clitoria ternatea?); (9) Kinnara and Kandarpa (Dig. Manasi); (10) Arishta and Arthasiva.

XVI. Santinatha: (1) Sarvarthasiddha; (2) Gajapura or Hastinapuri; (3) Visvasena by Achira; (4) golden; (5) an antelope--_mriga, harana, hulle_, (6)40 poles; (7) 100,000 years; (8) the Nandi or Cedrela toona; (9) Garuda and Nirvani (Dig. Kimpurusha and Mahamanasi); (10) Chakrayuddha and Suchi.

XVII. Kunthtinatha: (1) Sarvarthasiddha; (2) Gajapura; (3) Suraraja by Srirani; (4) golden; (5) a goat--_chhaga_ or _aja_; (6) 35 poles; (7) 95,000 years; (8) the Bhilaka tree; (9) Gandharva and Bala (Dig. Vijaya); (10) Samba and Damini.

XVIII. Aranatha: (1) Sarvarthasiddha; (2) Gajapura; (3) Sudarsana by Devirani; (4) golden; (5) the Nandyavarta diagram, (Dig. _Mina_--the zodiacal Pisces); (6) 30 poles; (7) 84,000 years; (8) Amba or Mango tree; (9) Yaksheta and Dhana (Dig. Kendra and Ajita); (10) Kumbha and Rakshita.

XIX. Mallinatha: (1) Jayantadevaloka; (2) Mathura; (3) Kumbharaja by Prabhavati; (4) blue--_nila_; (5) a jar--_kumbham, kalasa_ or _ghata_; (6) 25 poles; (7) 55,000 years; (8) Asoka tree; (9) Kubera and Dharanapriya (Dig. Aparajita); (10) Abhikshaka and Bandhumati.

XX. Munisuvrata, Suvrata or Muni: (1) Aparajita-devaloka; (2) Rajagriha; (3) Sumitraraja by Padmavati; (4) black--_syama, asita_; (5) a tortoise--_kurma_; (6) 20 poles; (7) 30,000 years; (8) the Champaka, Michelia champaka; (9) Varuna and Naradatta, (Dig. Bahurupini); (10) Malli and Pushpavati.

XXI. Naminatha, Nimi or Nimesvara: (1) Pranatadevaloka; (2) Mathura; (3) Vijayaraja by Viprarani; (4) yellow; (5) the blue water-lily--_nilotpala_, with the Digambaras, sometimes the Asoka tree; (6) 15 poles; (7) 10,000 years; (8) the Bakula or Mimusops elengi; (9) Bhrikuti and Gandhari, (Dig. Chamundi); (10) Subha and Anila.

XXII. Neminatha or Arishtanemi: (1) Aparajita; (2) Sauripura (Prakrit--Soriyapura) and Ujjinta or Mount Girnar; (3) Samudravijaya by Sivadevi; (4) black--_syama_; (5) a conch,--_sankha_; (6) 10 poles; (7) 1000 years; (8) the Vetasa; (9) Gomedha and Ambika: with the Digambaras, Sarvahna and Kushmandini; (10) Varadatta and Yakshadinna.

XXIII. Parsvanatha: (1) Pranatadevaloka; (2) Varanasi and SametaSikhara; (3) Asvasenaraja by Vamadevi; (4) blue--_nila_; (5) a serpent--_sarpa_; (6) 9 hands; (7) 100 years; (8) the Dhataki or Grislea tomentosa; (9) Parsvayaksha or Dharanendra and Padmavati; (10) Aryadinna and Pushpachu[d.]a.

XXIV. Sri-Mahavira, Vardhamana or Vira, the Sramana: (1) Pranatadevaloka; (2) Kundagrama or Chitrakuta, and Rijupaluka; (3) Siddhartharaja, Sreyansa or Yasasvin by Trisala Vidchadinna or Priyakarini; (4) yellow; (5) a lion--_kesari-simha_; (6) 7 hands or cubits; (7) 72 years; (8) the _sala_ or teak tree; (9) Matamga and Siddhayika; (10) Indrabhuti and Chandrabala.

See also

• Deshna