Tirthankara

[ tir-tuhng-ker-uh ]

noun

, Jainism.

1. one of 24 persons who have attained personal immortality through enlightenment.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Tirthankara¹

From the Sanskrit word tīrthankara literally, passage-making

Example Sentences

Nabeel Rahman, 14, of Buffalo, New York, who placed 10th in last year's bee, was also eliminated after misspelling "tirthankara," a term used in the religion Jainism.

From Reuters

He will become the twelfth tîrthankara of the next world-period and a similar position will be attained by Devakî, Rohinî, Baladeva and Javakumâra, all members of his family.

From Project Gutenberg

The Jains gave preference or prominence to the titles Jina or Tîrthankara: the Buddhists to Buddha or Tathâgata.

From Project Gutenberg

He has also called attention to the fact that in the long list of the recognised devices of the twenty-four Jaina Tirthankaras the sun is absent; but that while the eighth Tirthankara has the sign of the half-moon the seventh Tirthankara is marked with the Svastika, i.e., the sun.

From Project Gutenberg