Yapaniya Yapaniya Yapaniya was a Jain order in western Karnataka which is now extinct. The first inscription that mentions them by Mrigesavarman (AD 475-490) a Kadamba king of Palasika who donated for a Jain temple, and made a grant to the sects of Yapaniyas, Nirgranthas (identifiable as Digambaras), and the Kurchakas (not identified). The last inscription which mentioned the Yapaniyas was found in the Tuluva region southwest Karnataka, dated Saka 1316 (AD 1394). According to Darshana-Sara, they were a branch of the Svetambara sect. However, they were regarded to be Digambara by Swetambar authors. The Yapaniya monks remained naked but followed
Digambara texts such as the "Samayasāra" and the "Pravacanasāra". Other prominent "Acharyas" of this tradition were, Virasena (author of a commentary on the "Dhavala"), Samantabhadra and Siddhasena Divakara. The "Satkhandagama" and "Kasayapahuda" have major significance in the "Digambara" tradition. Relics found from Harrapan excavations such as seals depicting "Kayotsarga" posture, idols in "Padmasana" and a nude bust of red limestone, give insight into the antiquity of the "Digambara" tradition. The presence of gymnosophists (naked philosophers) in Greek records as early as the fourth century BC, supports the claim of the "Digambaras" that they have preserved the ancient "Śramaṇa" practice. Dundas talks