What does the term "Tirthankaras" refer to in the context of Jain tradition?

Spiritual teachers

Answer: Spiritual teachers

In the context of the Jain tradition, Tirthankaras refer to spiritual teachers who have achieved enlightenment and guide others towards salvation.

Among the most widely illustrated canonical text in the Jain tradition is Kalpasutra. It has a section, reciting events from the lives of the 24 Tirthankaras — from their births to salvation — that provides a biographical narrative for artists to paint. The five key incidents roughly elaborated as — conception, birth, renunciation, enlightenment and first sermon, and salvation from the lives of Tirthankaras and events leading to and around these — comprise most part of the Kalpasutra.