We have this great dichotomy in our lives. On one hand, we are desperate about money to live a respectable life and avoid compromising on our values. On the other hand, any individual with dignity or even a semblance of conscience will agree that life is much more than money and materialistic possession. We cannot live without money and we cannot live for money. Money breeds corruption, competitiveness, jealousy and moreover it divides the closest of friends and families. But, we need it because it reflects our power, our experience and the mark we have made in this world. The more you charge or the more you make increases your bargaining power and social status.
But the moot question is to what extent we have to sacrifice our basic principles, ideals, humane values and relationship in order to amass a fortune or lay our hands on a few bucks. Money can motivate crime. Devaraj lost his life as his killers coveted the excavator he was driving. A man killed his cousin sister over a grudge concerning a meagre Rs 500. Her gold earrings cost the life of an elderly woman. Scaring enough, these are just the cases from the newspapers showing that money fostered attitudes that have reduced our humane qualities. Besides them, we have undergone experiences and felt on numerous occasions the existence of undisclosed cases happening in our day to day life stressing that money has replaced other treasured values of life.
Our society has to evolve considerably to negate the belief that an individual is not considered human unless he becomes rich. The high premium on being rich has pushed people to do everything to own money – murder, prostitution, corruption and other wicked maneuvering. At least now, we have to destroy the perverse notion that people will be treated as somebody only when they have money. We have to lead our fellowmen to engage in pro-social behaviors and help them develop feelings which are contributory to society and develop a positive attitude towards others.
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive, says the Dalai Lama.