Author: Staff Reporter

Transubstantiation – the idea that during Mass, the bread and wine used for Communion become the body and blood of Jesus Christ – is central to the Catholic faith. Indeed, the Catholic Church teaches that “the Eucharist is ‘the source and summit of the Christian life.’”

But a new Pew Research Center survey finds that most self-described Catholics don’t believe this core teaching. In fact, nearly seven-in-ten Catholics (69%) say they personally believe that during Catholic Mass, the bread and wine used in Communion “are symbols of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.” Just one-third of U.S. Catholics (31%) say they believe that “during Catholic Mass, the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Jesus.”

In addition to asking Catholics what they believe about the Eucharist, the new survey also included a question that tested whether Catholics know what the church teaches on the subject. Most Catholics who believe that the bread and wine are symbolic do not know that the church holds that transubstantiation occurs. Overall, 43% of Catholics believe that the bread and wine are symbolic and also that this reflects the position of the church. Still, one-in-five Catholics (22%) reject the idea of transubstantiation, even though they know about the church’s teaching.

The vast majority of those who believe that the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Christ – 28% of all Catholics – do know that this is what the church teaches. A small share of Catholics (3%) profess to believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist despite not knowing the church’s teaching on transubstantiation.

About six-in-ten (63%) of the most observant Catholics — those who attend Mass at least once a week — accept the church’s teaching about transubstantiation. Still, even among this most observant group of Catholics, roughly one-third (37%) don’t believe that the Communion bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Christ (including 23% who don’t know the church’s teaching and 14% who know the church’s teaching but don’t believe it). And among Catholics who do not attend Mass weekly, large majorities say they believe the bread and wine are symbolic and do not actually become the body and blood of Jesus.

The survey also finds that belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist is most common among older Catholics, though majorities in every age group (including 61% of those age 60 and over) believe that the bread and wine are symbols, not the actual body and blood of Christ.

From national laws regulating religious dress to local laws banning public worship by Muslims, religious restrictions have in recent years become more common in Europe. Indeed, while the Middle East-North Africa region had the highest levels of religious restrictions in the world, Europe saw some of the biggest increases over the last decade in certain types of restrictions.

These findings come from a recent Pew Research Center report that analyzes restrictions on religion (by both governments and private individuals or social groups) from 2007 to 2017. The report measures various types of government restrictions and social hostilities across eight different categories on a scale from zero to 10.

In one of these categories – government limits on religious activity – Europe’s score doubled over a 10-year period. This was one of the largest increases in any of the five global regions analyzed. (An explanation of the methodology is available here.)

A number of factors contributed to Europe’s higher score in this category. To begin with, numerous European countries and cities have banned people from wearing religious symbols or religious clothing, either completely or in certain circumstances (such as at public service jobs or photographs for official documents). For example, France in 2011 outlawed full-face coverings, preventing Muslim women from being able to wear the burqa or niqab in public. And in Spain in 2010, several cities in Catalonia banned the burqa and niqab, as well as face-covering veils, in public buildings.

Other government actions also raised Europe’s score in this area. In 2012, several local councils in Moldova banned public Muslim worship. And in Germany, a court in Cologne classified circumcision as assault when not done for medical purposes. After protests from Jewish and Muslim groups, the federal government passed legislation allowing the practice for religious reasons.

Europe’s score also rose sharply in the category of government harassment of religious groups. In one year of our analysis, 2015, religious groups in 38 out of 45 European countries reported at least limited levels of harassment. Some of these incidents related to the increase in immigrants to Europe. For instance, Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders campaigned against the growth of Muslim populations in the West, lamenting what he called “a tsunami of refugees from Islamic countries who threaten our women and our civilization.”

In addition to government actions, there also was a dramatic increase in Europe in some measures of social hostility to religion. Europe’s score in the category of social hostilities related to religious norms increased by a factor of four over a decade, exceeding the global average. The number of European countries reporting individual or group violence or threats of violence aimed at forcing people to adopt religious beliefs or practices different than their own rose from four to 15 (out of 45 European countries) over the decade studied.

Examples of this kind of harassment include a case in 2015 in Ukraine, where four Jehovah’s Witnesses were held at gunpoint, beaten and forced to confess Orthodox Christianity as the only true religion. In 2016 in the United Kingdom, a Sunni Muslim killed an Ahmadi Muslim for allegedly disrespecting the Prophet Muhammad. And in Germany, religious groups reportedly used the fear of deportation to encourage thousands of refugees to convert to Christianity.

There also was an increase in Europe over the decade in the category of religious hostilities by organized groups. The number of European countries where organized groups used force or coercion to promote their perspective on religion rose during this period from 21 to 33. These incidents included not only multiple attacks by those pledging allegiance to the Islamic State, but also cases such as one in Finland, where a neo-Nazi group called the Nordic Resistance Movement published anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim materials and organized rallies. The group also coordinated antireligious activities in Sweden in 2017.

Of eight categories we measured, the only one where Europe saw a decline in restrictive activity was in the measure of interreligious tension and violence. This also was the only category for which the global average declined.

Thousands of Jain devotees from around the United States and the world met in the massive Ontario Convention Center, Ontario, California, a suburb of Los Angeles, July 4-7, to celebrate their religion, observe its tenets, enjoy entertainment, listen to experts and professionals, and explore  modern Jainism.

The very successful Convention was not phased by the July 4 earthquake that shook the building where it was being held. Sadhvi Sanghamitraji began reciting prayers leading the crowd of attendees, and organizers assured the crowd, “The show will go on,” Dr. Navin Shah, co-convenor of the Convention, told Desi Talk.

Every two years JAINA, which was founded in 1981, works along with a local Sangh, hosts a biennial convention, this year with 3,450 attendees and 600 volunteers, 90 speakers, including 22 sadhu/sadhvis, organizers told Desi Talk.

The theme for this convention was “Celebrating Jain Religion in 21st Century” where people shared how values of this ancient religion work in today’s volatile society to promote values of ahimsa, anekantavada, and aparigraha, and have a positive impact in their communities.

The organizers strove to deliver a “well-rounded” experience to attendees, according to the website jainaconvention.org.

In addition to sessions on ‘Jain Philosophy’ and ‘Jain Virtues’, there were panels on ‘Devotion’, Compassion’, ‘Transformation of Our Lives’, as well as on current events in Jain communities and current world challenges.

These themes were incorporated in youth programming as well. Pre-recorded speeches were played from renowned Jain gurus like Acharyas Shri Yashovijayji Maharaj, Shri Ratna Sundar Maharaj among others.

Numerous dignitaries of multiple faiths delivered keynote speeches that highlighted the  themes of the convention.  Among them were Yogi Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev who is involved in social and environmental initiatives; U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, the first Hindu to be elected to Congress, sent a three-minute video blessing the event and expressing her sadness at not being able to attend despite giving a commitment; Ingrid Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA); animal rights activist Philip Wollen; ISKCON Monk Motivational speaker, life coach and engineer, Monk Gaur Gopal Das of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON);  and Nipun Mehta, founder of Servicespace.org, a volunteer-based non-profit.

Newkirk urged those present to spread their values to others. “There’s nothing more wonderful than Jain values, so please press them on everyone you meet without any excuse, unfailingly and always,” Newkirk said.

The convention featured five distinct tracks of learning about Jain principles and practices during the afternoon sessions — Seva, Satsang, Samarpan, Sadhana, and Self-Realization — representing the steps in a path of the spiritual journey towards achieving moksha, the final liberation.

For the first time in its history, the JAINA Convention held a seva health camp morning on the first day, treating many for dental and eye conditions. Fifty eye-glasses were handed out and 52 dental treatments given free of charge, sponsored by Dr. Atul Karia who gave his clinic space for free, Dr. Nitin Shah, co-convenor of the Convention told Desi Talk.

Seva activities also included preparing 1,008 backpacks put together by Jain youth, with basic essentials, for distribution at three homeless shelters in Annaheim, Santa Ana, and San Diego through the organization You Turn Lives. This was sponsored by the Sarva Mangal Family Trust.

On the first night Parth Doshi, Kalpesh Kharwa and Shilpi Paul sang and led the traditional Raas-Garba. Multiple speakers and dignitaries shared examples to demonstrate how a ‘Jain Way of Life’ could make a profound impact on an individual and allows them to influence those around them.

Several awards were handed out during the Convention. Among them was the JAINA President’s Award from current president Gunvant Shah, which was presented to Padma Shri Dr. Sudhir Parikh, chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media and ITV Gold; and Purvin Vakharwala. The two institutions that received this award included Jaya Rehab Institute of Bidada Sarvodaya Trust, and Ratnanidhi Charitable Trust.

Gunvant Shah described Dr. Parikh’s achievements and awards and recognitions when announcing the JAINA President’s Award. “I would like to give one of the JAINA President’s Award to Dr. Sudhir Parikh and Dr. Sudhaben Parikh,” Shah said. Dr. Parikh said he was very touched by the affection and love. “But more important, you have recognized the work of Life Global which is really helping the poorest of poor women to make them self-sufficient,” Dr. Parikh, who is president of Life Global USA, said in his speech, thanking all those who support activities of Life Global, a non-profit based in India and reaching out to North America.

The JAINA Executive Committee also gave out four awards to Acharya Chandanaji, late Gurudev Chitrabhanuji, Acharya Lokesh Muniji, and Gurudev Rakeshbhai. The JAINA Ratna Award went to Minnesota-based mechanical engineer who founded the Jain Center of Minnesota, Rama Gada.

Speakers included not only Jain sadhu-sadhvis, but also professors, doctors, scientists, authors, swadhyaykars, Jain scholars, and spiritual guides.  They included Acharya Shri Chandanaji, founder of Veerayatan and first Jain Sadhvi to receive the title of Acharya; Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni, social reformer, thinker, writer, poet; Acharya Namra Muniji (via live video conference) – considered by Jains as a ‘revolutionary saint with extraordinary dynamism’; Gurudev Shri Rakeshbhai Jhaveri, spiritual leader and founder of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission in Dharampur, India.

The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir of Los Angeles helped at the event with all of the food services, covering 10 freshly prepared meals for thousands of attendees during the Convention. A ‘Grand Procession’ featuring colorful artifacts and represented by all Jain Sangh’s of North America, was held on July 4. The procession was followed by an unveiling ceremony of a model of a Jain Temple that covered more than 5,000 square feet of prime floor space of the convention center.

The competitions held included the Jain Academic Bowl (JAB), launched a decade ago, a jeopardy style vocabulary game in which young Jains compete with other teams. The Jain Center of Metropolitan Chicago and the Houston Jain Society were the winners.

Evening entertainment included a Jain’s Got Talent (JGT) competition, a Jain Cultural show, and a Bollywood concert. The JGT competition participants showcased their special performances on July 6 night, followed by a “Bollywood Night” show conducted by Rex D’Souza, Mauli Dave, and Sunny Jadhav. “That Bollywood entertainment literally brought the house down,” Dr. Nitin Shah said, adding, “I don’t even like dancing, and I joined it.” The Cultural Program “One World, One Rhythm” included non-stop music, dance, and drama performances by artists of all ages on July 5. It featured 19 dances from countries across the world. The special Jain Connect program also featured, allowing youth aged 21 to 42, to build networks and form genuine connections, organizers said.

For the first time in its history the JAINA Convention featured Shatavdhan. Jaynesh Jain demonstrated his ability to memorize scores of questions (cut to 45 due to sheer interest of time, organizers said), from a live audience.  Kartik Trivedi, whose impressionist paintings are hanging in well-known galleries offered a hands-on 3-hour art workshop. Shanti Parakh and Arun Yogi, morning Yoga sessions on July 5 and 6.

Sachchidananda Swamiji, L. Subramaniam play together at meditation and healing concert at Kennedy Center. Amidst a huge gathering, His Holiness Sri Dr. Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji of Mysore, India performed ‘Raga Maya Raga Sagara,’ a meditation and healing concert at the John F Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington DC, on July 6, 2019 .

At the concert, Swami Chidatmananda of Chinmaya Mission offered a garland to Sri Swamiji.  Special invitees, Ambassador P K Kapur, former Indian Ambassador to Chile, and Cambodia, honored Sri Swamiji with a Vastram, and Rajan Natarajan, Transportation Commissioner, and former Deputy Secretary of State for the State of Maryland, presented a memento to Sri Swamiji from the State of Maryland.

Another special invitee Shambhu Hakki, First Secretary and Spokesperson for the Indian Embassy in Washington DC, who represented the Indian Ambassador to the US, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, honored internationally acclaimed violinist Dr. L. Subramaniam, who played alongside Sri Swamiji at the concert.

At the press conference, prior to the concert, in the Kennedy Center, Sri Swamiji said that he was happy to be performing at the Kennedy Center, and talked about the importance and benefits of attending the Music for Meditation and Healing concerts.

Soon after the concert Sri Swamiji conveyed that the Kennedy Center concert had been planned for a long time but finally the star, date and time aligned and the concert happened.  He played two new ragas, Chandika and Kamavardhini and their combination turned out very well.  He appreciated special guest, violinist Dr. L. Subramaniam for an excellent performance, and the overall troupe for their musical support.

The main raga, Kamavardhini, a very powerful healing raga, played during the concert, worked on the entire body, all chakras, all zodiac signs, and all five elements. Sri Swamiji also played Rushyaketupriya, Kapi, Mohana, Chandika, Kamavardhini, Madhuvarshini, and Sama ragas. The ragas played during the concert are helpful in Cervical Spondylosis, Computer Related Stress, Thyroid diseases, Laryngeal Disorders, Hyperacidity, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Arthritis, High Blood Pressure, and Insomnia to name a few. Regularly listening to these ragas help relax persons with such ailments, according to a press release.

During the concert, Sri Swamiji walked amidst the audience with a crystal rod and identified people with chronic diseases and channeled healing energy and vibrations.

At the concert, artists Jaitra Varanasi (Violin), Shankar Ramesh (Mridangam), Mahesh Bhatt (Tabla), and Mani (Keyboard), and Jaya Datta (Cymbals) from Sri Swamiji’s Celestial Message Troupe accompanied Sri Swamiji.  The event was jointly organized by Datta Yoga Center, DC Chapter and Yoga Sangeeta, Sri Swamiji’s non-profit organization based in New Jersey.

This concert was part of the US and Switzerland concert tour 2019.  Thus far, Sri Swamiji has performed in Houston, and Washington DC.  Other concerts are planned in Atlanta, Chicago, Seattle, and Davos, Switzerland.