History & Background Jains were historically referred to as Sramanes. While Jainism makes no claim to a single founder, the Jain holy book Anusruti records the existence of 24 Tirthankaras (guides to salvation). At various points in history, a Tirthankara revealed the truth, which literally translates as a teacher who makes a ford,' i.e. reveals the path. Who is referred to as 'Tirthankaras'? Like great teachers, Tirthankaras attained the highest spiritual goal of life and th