24 tirthankar qualities
Here are the core qualities that every one of the 24 Tirthankars possesses (shared attributes of a Tirthankar):
- Keval Jnan: infinite, perfect knowledge of all substances and their modes.
- Keval Darshan: infinite, unobstructed perception.
- Anant Charitra: perfect conduct, absolutely free from attachment and aversion (vitarāga).
- Anant Virya: infinite spiritual energy.
- Arihant-bhāva: complete destruction of the four ghāti karmas (knowledge-, perception-, deluding-, energy-obscuring).
- Shuddhopayoga: continuous pure awareness of the soul.
- Samyaktva: perfected right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.
- Absolute ahimsā: non-violence in thought, word, and deed.
- Perfect observance of the five great vows: ahimsā, satya, asteya, brahmacharya, aparigraha.
- Embodiment of the ten dharma-lakshanas: kshamā, mārdava, ārjava, shaucha, satya, saṃyama, tapa, tyāga, ākiñcanya, brahmacharya.
- Nirjara-pradhānta: continuous shedding of karmas until total freedom.
- Karuṇā without rāga-dveṣa: boundless compassion free of attachment/aversion.
- Tīrtha-racnā: establishment of the fourfold sangh (sādhus, sādhvīs, śrāvaks, śrāvikās).
- Samavasaraṇa: universally accessible preaching assembly.
- Sarva-bhāṣā-gamyatā: discourse understood by all beings according to their capacity.
- Trikaraṇa-śuddhi: complete purity of mind, speech, and body.
- Avyābādha-sukha: unshakeable inner bliss.
- Akampya-samatā: unwavering equanimity in all circumstances.
- Aparigraha-parama: total non‑possessiveness.
- Nirmoha: freedom from all delusion and deceit.
- Nirlobha: perfect non‑greed; total contentment.
- Nirmāna: freedom from pride/ego.
- Nirodha of all kashāyas: total absence of anger, pride, deceit, and greed.
- 34 Atiśayas: the extraordinary excellences that manifest around a Tirthankar (such as universally intelligible speech, divine fragrance, auspicious aura, etc.).
Note on traditions:
- Both Digambar and Shvetambar traditions accept these core qualities. Depictions (e.g., adorned vs. unadorned idols) and a few narrative details may differ, but the spiritual attributes of a Tirthankar remain the same in both.
For a simple overview of “what is present with a Tirthankar (Tirthankar nī pāse hoy),” see this brief explainer from JainKnowledge: If you were looking for the 24 Tirthankars’ identifying symbols (lāñchhans), refer here: