Is it ok to be rich and be detached?
Yes. In Jainism, you can be rich and still be detached. The key is aparigraha—non-attachment to possessions and to the fruits of wealth—and practicing virāgya (dispassion) in how you think, speak, and act.
How this works in practice:
- Recognize wealth as a tool, not as an end. Use it for righteous purposes, help others, and support dharma.
Difference between traditions:
- Both Digambar and Śvetāmbar traditions teach aparigraha for lay followers and monks alike.
- The emphasis for monks is complete renunciation, while for householders it is balanced detachment—living well without becoming bound to possessions.
In short: wealth itself is not discouraged, but attachment to it is. Practice detachment in mind and action, and use wealth for good and spiritual progress.