Tirthika, aka: Tīrthika; 3 Definition(s)
Introduction
Tirthika means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Tīrthika (तीर्थिक).—Another group of Siddhas that existed during the 10th and 11th centuries was known as Tīrthika Siddhas. They became celebrated for their extraordinary knowledge; fond of debates and display of their knowledge among the public or in the royal courts.
The tīrthikas were distinguished by certain symbols like umbrellas. It is said that once a tīrthika-paṇḍita from the South India was honoured with five umbrellas for challenging Dipaṅkara (C.E. 982-1054), who was celebrated for his scholarship not only among the contemporary Buddhists and others.
(Source): DSpace at Pondicherry: Siddha Cult in Tamilnadu (shaivism)
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Tīrthika (तीर्थिक).—The Sanskrit word tīrthika is often translated as ‘heretic’, but tīrthika in fact refers to someone who is on a path other than the Buddhist one.
According to Khenpo Chöga’s Oral Explanations on text section 163: “The Buddha has surpassed all the paths of the tīrthikas. Even when the tīrthikas reach the peak of worldly existence, they can never go beyond the confines of worldly existence [srid pa]. The great masters of the tīrthika systems can reach saṃsāra’s peak but never go beyond that point because they have not realized the wisdom of egolessness. Tīrthika masters can temporarily overcome gross afflictions, but they never attain the wisdom of egolessness. Tīrthika meditation masters at best take rebrith in the subtle spheres of the realms of formlessness [gzugs med khams].”
(Source): Kunpal: Shantideva's Bodhisattva-charyavatara
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit-English dictionary
Tīrthika (तीर्थिक).—
1) A pilgrim, an ascetic Brāhmaṇa (visiting holy places).
2) An adherent or head of any other than one's own creed; Buddha, Jaina.
Derivable forms: tīrthikaḥ (तीर्थिकः).
(Source): DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionarySanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family. Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Relevant definitions
Search found 8 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:
| Tirthikadharma | Tīrthikadharma (तीर्थिकधर्म).—The systems of the heretics (tīrthika-dharma), while saving being... | |
| Tirthikarshi | Tīrthikarṣi (तीर्थिकर्षि) refers to an “heretical sage”.—According to Avadānaśataka, no. 97, II... | |
| Mara | Māra (मार) refers to the “four destroyers” as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 80):
... | |
| Rashmi | Raśmi (रश्मि).—[aś-mi dhāto ruṭ, raś-mi vā; cf. Uṇ.4.46]1) A string, cord, rope; अपतद्देवराजस्य... | |
| Anuttara | Anuttara (अनुत्तर) or “without superior”, is a synonym for the Buddha according to the Mahāpraj... | |
| Dhyanaparamita | Dhyānapāramitā (ध्यानपारमिता) or simply dhyāna refers to the “perfection of meditation” and rep... | |
| Suvimuktaprajna | Suvimuktaprajña (सुविमुक्तप्रज्ञ) is a title given to the Bhikṣus that accompanied the Buddha w... | |
| Suvimuktacitta | Suvimuktacitta (सुविमुक्तचित्त) is a title given to the Bhikṣus that accompanied the Buddha whe... |
Relevant text
Search found 7 books and stories containing Tirthika or Tīrthika. You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Bodhisattvacharyavatara (by Andreas Kretschmar)
Text Section 163 < [Khenpo Chöga’s Oral Explanations]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Mahāyāna auxiliaries (E): The five powers < [Part 3 - The auxiliaries according to the Mahāyāna]
Part 8 - Why is the Buddha called Anuttara < [Chapter IV - Explanation of the Word Bhagavat]
II. Why the buddha thinks highly of his ten powers < [Part 3 - Appendices to the ten powers]
The Great Chariot (by Longchenpa)
The gods of northern Buddhism (by Alice Getty)
Part I - Buddha < [Introduction]
The Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra
Chapter XIII - On Letters < [Section Two]
Chapter XIV - On the Parable of the Birds < [Section Two]
Chapter XXXVI - On Bodhisattva Lion's Roar (d) < [Section Seven]
The Mahavastu (great story) (by J. J. Jones)
Chapter XI - The fourth Bhūmi < [Volume I]