What is "tirthika"

Tirthika ( Sanskrit: tīrthika, Pali: titthiya, "ford-maker," meaning one who is attempting to cross the stream of samsara) is a general term referring to heretics, or non-Buddhists in general. In the Tipitaka, the term may refer specifically to adherents of Jainism. Whereas a Buddhist takes refuge in the Three Jewels and treads the middle way between extremes, a Tirthika does not.

According to the Asoka Avadhana, the Tithikas that were jealous of Ashoka's preaching of Buddhism gathered together and said to each other, "Should this king Asoka continue a worshiper of Buddha, all other persons encouraged by him would likewise become followers of Buddha." They then went to people's houses and declared that their religion is the true religion and that Buddhism gives no Moksha.

Tirthika is associated with the word Tirthankara as used in Jainism.