Answer
A Digambar Jain Muni does not do worldly work or earn a living like householders. His life is dedicated to
self-purification, austerity, meditation, and spiritual upliftment.
Explanation
The main duties and practices of a Digambar Jain Muni are:
- Observe the Five Mahavratas
- Ahimsa
- Satya
- Asteya
- Brahmacharya
- Aparigraha
- These are the basic restraints and disciplines of a Digambar Muni.
- Practice Samitis and Guptis
- Carefulness in walking, speaking, accepting food, handling things, and putting down things
- Control of mind, speech, and body
- Meditation and Self-Study
- Dhyan
- Swadhyay
- Contemplation on the soul
- Fasting and other austerities
- Endurance of hardship with equanimity
- Give spiritual guidance to devotees
- Explain Jain principles and right conduct
- Travel on foot from one place to another for spiritual benefit and for the benefit of others
- Pratikraman and Repentance
- Reflect on any mistakes and purify the soul through repentance
- Living with Non-Attachment
- No possessions
- No money
- No personal comfort-seeking
- No involvement in trade, farming, or family life
Spiritual Understanding
The life of a Digambar Jain Muni is meant for one purpose:
moksha, or liberation of the soul. Every practice of a Muni is designed to reduce karmic bondage and increase purity, discipline, and detachment.
Takeaway
In simple words, the “work” of a Digambar Jain Muni is not worldly occupation, but
spiritual साधना, तप, ध्यान, and धर्म-प्रचार. His whole life is dedicated to the upliftment of the soul.