“In Jainism,” I am told, “a Tirthankara (’Fordmaker’) (also…a Jina) is a human who achieves enlightenment (perfect knowledge), through asceticism. A Tirthankar 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 ... Continue reading »