Answer

No. According to Jain tradition, there will not be a 25th Tirthankara in the present avasarpiṇī kāl — the current descending half-cycle of time.

In each half-cycle of time, Jain tradition accepts exactly 24 Tirthankaras. In our current avasarpiṇī, Bhagwan Mahavir Swami is the 24th and last Tirthankara.

Explanation

Jain cosmology describes time as beginningless and endless, moving in repeated cycles:

• Utsarpiṇī — ascending time cycle
• Avasarpiṇī — descending time cycle

Each of these half-cycles has six eras, called ārās.

We are currently in the 5th ārā of avasarpiṇī. The 6th ārā will be a period of extreme sorrow, decline, and spiritual darkness. However, its arrival is not marked by a new Tirthankara.

The 24 Tirthankaras of this avasarpiṇī have already appeared, ending with Bhagwan Mahavir. After Bhagwan Mahavir’s nirvāṇa, no new Tirthankara will appear until the next half-cycle in which Tirthankaras arise again according to Jain cosmology.

Spiritual Understanding

A Tirthankara does not appear at the end of every era. A Tirthankara appears at specific points in the cosmic time cycle to re-establish the fourfold Jain saṅgha and show the path to liberation.

Bhagwan Mahavir’s teachings are therefore especially precious for us. In the present age, the path is not renewed by another Tirthankara; instead, seekers preserve and practice the Dharma already taught by the 24 Tirthankaras.

Takeaway

There is no 25th Tirthankara in the current time cycle. Bhagwan Mahavir Swami is the final Tirthankara of this avasarpiṇī, and the next era of deeper sorrow will begin without the appearance of another Tirthankara.