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 "Bispanthi" also worship "Yaksha" and "Yakshini" like Bhairava and Kshetrapala. Their religious practices include "aarti" and offerings of flowers, fruits and "prasad". "Bhattarakas" are their "dharma-gurus" and they are concentrated in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharastra and South India. According to "Digambara" texts, after attaining "Kevala Jnana" (omniscience), "arihant" (omniscient beings) are free from human needs like hunger, thirst, and sleep. In contrast, Śvētāmbara texts preach that it is not so. According to the "Digambara" tradition, a soul can attain "moksha" (liberation) only from the male body with complete nudity being a necessity. While, Śvētāmbaras believe that women can attain liberation from