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Yāpaniya Sect: An Introduction
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relates the origin of Yāpanīya sect, to a period, 70 years later than the Sarigha division. According to Āvaśyaka Mõlabhāşya also, this tradition came into existence through Kauţinya and Kottavīra, the desciples of Sivabhūti. It is possible that these two were not the direct desciples of Sivabhūti, but were in his lineage. Therefore, it may be easily propounded that the Botika sect mentioned in Mūlabhāșya, developed as an independent sect, approximately during third-fourth century A. D. But, the point of time, when they were given name as Yapaniya, remains to be ascertained. We find that the term Yāpaniya occurred for the first time in the inscription of king Mrgesa Verman of Southern India, of 5th century A. D. But we had authentic evidences that prior to Sth centruy A. D. this sect had struck its roots deeply in Northern India. It is in the Lalitavistara of Ācārya Haribhadra ( first half of the 8th century A. D. ) that the term Yāpaniya occurred for the first time in Northern India. Prior to it, neither in epigraphs nor in literary works of Northern India, this word was traceable. In fact, in the early centuries, Śvetāmbaras called them Boţikas, but how they addressed themselves, is not known. We can only gesticulate through the clues received in this regard, but can not say anything with certainty.
Though Gaņas etc. figured in Sthānānga, Kalpa-sütra, etc. as well as in inscriptions of Mathurā, may be regarded as descendants of Svetāmbara and Yāpanīya, yet it is difficult to pinpoint the salient mark, adopted by Yāpaniyas, as their individual identity. The analysis of some stray references, found in the inscriptions of Pabhosā, Vidiśā and Pahādapura, pertaining to ganas etc. is expected to throw some light on the matter. Coming to the identity of Kāśyapīya Arhatas, depicted in Pabhosā inscription"0, we find that there is a reference to Kaśyapiya Sākhã in Kalpa-sútra Sthavirāvalī. It is certain, desciples of a religious ācārya of Kāśyapa clan would have been called Kāśyapīya Arhat. There may be three possibilities with regard to nomenclature Kāśyapiya Anhạt :
1. The lineage of Lord Mahāvīra might be called with this name, as he belonged to Kāśyapa clan ( gotra).
2. Also the lineage of Godāsa, desciple of Ācārya Bhadrabāhu might have designated itself as “Kāsyapīya Arhat'. He is mentioned as belonging to Kaśyapa clan in Kalpa-sūtra Sthavirāvali.
3. Kalpa-sūtra also states Kāśyapikā sākhā, as a branch of
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