Can there be only twenty-four Tirthankaras in Jainism?
Synthesized from Source
definition
"Truth is ever-living and can manifest anew; clinging to a fixed number of Tirthankaras turns a vibrant spiritual journey into a stagnant museum."
According to Osho, limiting Tirthankaras to twenty-four is a later institutional decision made when Jainism felt it had reached its peak with Mahavira; spiritually, truth is ever-living and new Tirthankaras can arise anytime. Clinging to a fixed number turns a living process into a museum; choose the fresh awakening over settled tradition.
No—the “twenty-four only” rule is man-made; life keeps producing new awakened guides whenever we’re ready.
Why this matters practically
- Stay open to fresh insights instead of clinging to past authorities.
- Evaluate teachings by their living relevance, not by age or label.
- Let change challenge your ego; choose what awakens you now.
- Evaluate teachings by their living relevance, not by age or label.
- Let change challenge your ego; choose what awakens you now.
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