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The Dharma Tiirtha {ford of religion, also known as the Sangha, comprises of the following pillars:
Monks (sadhu), nuns (sadhvi), laymen (shraavak) and laywomen (shraavikaa). This four-pillared sangha is established by the Tirthankara.
Once the Tirthankara attains liberation, he leaves his body behind while his soul ascends to moksha. The Tirthankara is supremely detached and does not come back to the earth. He does not take rebirth in the world. Jainism politely rejects the concept of gods taking rebirth to fix things on earth. If souls living in this world work towards spiritual upliftment and remain immersed in their soul, they attain liberation and become Tirthankaras themselves.
Jainism is very clear that once a soul sheds all its karmas and attains liberation, it shall remain free from karmas forever. This is why a liberated soul never comes back in this world. It permanently remains in a state of supreme bliss in moksha.
24 Tirthankaras take birth in the ascending time cycle, and 24 Tirthankaras take birth in the descending time cycle. This time cycle has also had 24 Tirthankaras. Lord Rishabhadeva is the first and Lord Mahavira is the last.
The names of the 24 Tirthankaras are as under: 1. Lord Rishabhadeva/Adinatha 2. Lord Ajitanatha 3. Lord Sambhavanatha 4. Lord Abhinandananatha 5. Lord Sumatinatha 6. Lord Padmaprabhu 7. Lord Suparshvanatha 8. Lord Candranatha 9. Lord Suvidhinatha/Pushpadanta 10. Lord Shitalanatha 11. Lord Shreyansanatha 12. Lord Vasupujyanatha 13. Lord Vimalanatha 14. Lord Anantanatha 15. Lord Dharmanatha 16. Lord Shantinatha 17. Lord Kunthunatha 18. Lord Aranatha 19. Lord Mallinatha 20. Lord Munisuvratanatha
