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Jaina Tīrthamkaras and antiquity of Jainism
Real worship in Jainism, however, centres around the tīrthamkaras and the siddhas, especially the former.68 Devotion to them is expressed through hymns, rituals and pūjās of various kinds.69 In the hierarchy of Jainism, the siddha occupies the highest position after the tīrthařkara. The siddha is a liberated soul and is a resident of the top end of the universe; therefore, he is also worshipped as a deity. The difference between the tīrthamkara and the siddha consists in the fact that the former has physical body and the latter does not possess that.71
The next three positions in the heirarchy of Jainism in order of merit are held by the ācāryas, the upādhyāyas and the sādhus respectively. In Jainism these three categories of ascetics are also worshipped because they follow the path of salvation and also provide guidance to the Jaina religious order.72 The ācāryas are spiritual preceptors; the upādhyāyas impart canonical teachings and also undertake activities associated with spiritual engagements.73 The sādhus are mendicants.74 Jainism has adopted many gods and goddesses from the Hindu pantheon.75 These Hindu deities, too, are worshipped because they are considered integral to the Jaina religious system.76
Introduction to the tirthamkaras
The earliest reference to the twenty-four tīrthamkaras has been made in the Samvāya, the Kalpasūtra and the Avaśyaka Niryukti." A study of Jaina works like Hemcandra's Trisastisalākāpurusacarita reveals that the life of
68. JAA, I, p. 42. 69. Ibid. 70. AJAA, p. 4. 71. Ibid. 72. Ibid. 73. Ibid. 74. Ibid. 75. JI, p. 37; JIR, p. 234; AOIU, p. 426; OISJ, p. 61. 76. JI, pp. 25-6. 77. LDJC, p. 371.
