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History of Jainism with Special Reference to Mathură
beginning of the seventh century AD.211 Sub-divisions of the Śvetāmbaras and the Digambaras The Jainas are divided into the Svetāmbaras and the Digambaras. These two sects are sub-divided into numerous schools and groups.212 Some Jaina sects are opposed to idol-worship.213 For example, the Lońkā sect, the Sthānakavāsī sect,214 the Tāraṇpanthi sect of the Digambaras and the Terāpanthī sect of the Svetāmbaras do not worship idols.215 K.C. Jain is of opinion that Muslim invasions of India affected Jainism in two ways; — these invasions united the Jainas for self-defence, and also drove away many Jainas from idolatory.216 But the fact should not be lost sight of that reform movements have been a characteristic feature of Indian life from an early period; the Jainas who opposed idol-worship had no need to look to Islam for inspiration.217
The Yāpanīyas and the Dravida Samgha
Another sect of Jainism was called the Yāpaniya. It has been held that this sect arose in the early centuries of the Christian era after the Jaina community's division into the Svetāmbaras and the Digambaras.218 This sect existed for about two centuries and its influence was confined to Karnataka.219 The Dravida Samgha was another sect of Jainism and its influence was confined to the Tamil land.220 It appears to have been an off-shoot of the Mula
211. OISJ, p. 2 fn. 2. 212. Ibid., pp. 1-2; JSS, pp. 49 ff; JIR, pp. 90-1. 213. ERE, VII, p. 466; JI, p. 15; JIR, pp. 90-3. 214. Ibid.; Ibid.; Ibid. 215. JIR, pp. 90-3. 216. Ibid., p. 90. 217. ROAI, p. 123. 218. CHAI, III, p. 299. 219. Ibid. 220. Ibid.
