- Jainism recognizes a lineage of 24 Tirthankaras (ford-makers) who achieved enlightenment and preached the path to liberation. - The first Tirthankara was Rishabhanatha (also known as Adinatha). - Parshvanath is traditionally believed to have lived about 250 years before Mahavira. - Vardhaman Mahavira was the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara.