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harmony and cause class conflicts and wars. Among the causes of economic inequality, the will for possession, occupation or hoarding are the prime. Accumulation of wealth on the one side and the lust, for worldly enjoyment on the other, are jointly responsible for the emergence of present-day materialistic consumer culture. A tremendous advancement of the means of worldly enjoyment and the amenities of life has made us crazy for them, liven at the cost of health and wealth we are madly chasing them. The vast differences in material possession as well as in the modes of consumption have divided the human race into two categories of 'Have' and 'Havenot.
At the dawn of human history also, undoubtedly, these classes were existent but never before the vices of jealousy and hatred were as alarming as these are today. In the past, generally these classes were co-operative to each other while at present they are in conflicting mood. Not only disproportionate distribution of wealth, but luxurious life led by affluent people these days, is the main cause for jealousy and hatred in the hearts of the poor.
Though wealth plays an important role in our life and considered as one of the four Purusarthas i.e. the pursuits of life yet if cannot be maintained as the sole end of life. Jainas, all the time, consider wealth as a means to lead a life and not a destination, Uttarādhyayanasūtra rightly observed, "That no one who is unaware of treasure of one's own protects oneself by wealth". But it does not mean that Jaina Ācāryas do not realise the importance of wealth in life. Ācārya Amrtacandra maintains that the properly or wealth commits violence. Jainas accept the utility of wealth; the only thing they want to say that wealth is always a means and it should not be considered as an end. No doubt wealth is considered as a means by materialist and spiritualist as well, the only difference is that for materialist it is a means to lead a luxurious life while for
Jainism and its History
