No. In Jain Dharma, a Tirthankar does not merely preach Ahimsa; they fully embody it.

A Tirthankar has destroyed all passions, karmic bondage, and inner violence. Because of complete vitaragata (total detachment) and purity of soul, there is no thought of harming any living being. So they perfectly follow Ahimsa, not in an ordinary worldly way, but in the highest spiritual sense.

Key point:

• Preaching Ahimsa = teaching the path for others.
• Following Ahimsa = living in complete non-violence in body, speech, and mind.
• A Tirthankar does both, but after keval-jnan, their conduct is absolutely free from violence and attachment.

Detachment in Jainism does not mean ignoring ethics. It means being free from anger, greed, deceit, and ego — and that freedom itself is the highest form of Ahimsa.

So the correct understanding is:

A Tirthankar is the perfect embodiment of Ahimsa, not someone who only teaches it without following it.