Tirtha & Tirthamkara

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writings by Bal Patil (E-Mail) Tirtha and Tirthamkara The etymological basis of a Tirtha as a holy place of worship can be properly traced to the term Tirthamkara which signifies a liberated soul according to Jain religions tradition. A Tirthamkara is one who has eliminated the last vestiges of Karmic pollution attaching to the soul through a rigorous ascetic regimen prescribed in Jain religious canon, known as agamas and has attained omniscience. He thus becomes a creator of a Tirtha or a Tirthamkara, a fordmaker. It is by means of this Tirtha, or ford, a worldly being can cross this life and attain moksa. It is in this

context of the unique Jain connection of the term Tirtha, a historic genesis of the temple tradition and idol or icon worship can be traced in Jain religious practices since prehistoric times. In the allegorical or spiritual sense, the dictionary meaning of the term‘pilgrim’ is “one journeying through life as a stranger in this world.” As a matter of fact, in Jainism a place of pilgrimage is called a tirtha or tirtha-ksetra. A tirtha (Literally, a ford) is so called because it helps the aspirant in crossing the ocean of samsara which is full of pain and suffering and in attaining liberation from the unending round of rebirths. A Jain Tirthamkara is a maker of such a ford or bridge. The very concept of pilgrimage, of going to a sacred place for spiritual edification is embodied in the term Tirthamkara which is the ultimate symbol of Jain liberation and also the ideal. It is thus are extension of the process of ritual of worship in Jainism. Pilgrimage to holy places, Tirtha-Ksetras for a Jain is a concrete reminder of the Jain Tirthamkaras, deities, and events in their lives such as birth, nirvana which is held to be sacred and memorable. A visit to such places is meritorious and spiritually purifying. Such exalted sites of Jain pilgrimage fall into four categories. The Kalyanaka Ksetras associated with the birth and other memorable events in the life of the Tirthamkara ; the Siddha-Ksetras or Tirtha-Ksetras where countless arahats- liberated non-Tirthamkaras- attained liberation; nirvana-bhumi, where certain Tirthamkaras attained liberation; the Atishaya-Ksetras associated with miraculous events in the lives of great monks and Kala-Ksetras reputed for their artistic monuments, temples and images many a time, more than one of these characteristics are present at one and the same site. As the Jain Tirthamkaras and ascetics have always carried out their austerities in secluded

places, forests, far from the human habitation and mountain-tops, it is not surprising that the Jain Tirtha-Ksetras are situated in such places in the midst of captivating scenery and peaceful surroundings conducive to concentrated meditation and spiritual contemplation. The sacred association of the place (such as nirvana, birth of Tirthamkara) give it an added sanctity. Jains place great value upon pilgrimage to such shrines. Indeed, a common Jain considers it an important goal of his life to make at least one visit, with his family if possible, to one or more of several Tirtha-Ksetras Jainism holds as sacred. During the pilgrimage the entire time is spent in different religious activities such as continence, abstinence, fasting worship, meditation, study of scriptures, listening to religious discourses, chanting and recitation of religious hymns or devotional songs and charity. In Jainism, pilgrimage is a ritual that is shared by the

laity and the monastic community. Pilgrimage lends structure to the wanderings of Jain monks and nuns, who are forbidden from living long in one place and who thus spend their ascetic life in traveling on feet from one place to another except during the rainy season- Varshayoga or Chaturmasa.

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