Sikhism

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments Let me begin by thanking Henry Rosemont for his kind invitation to contribute to the Dimensions of Asian Spirituality series, an invitation that came with clearly defined boundaries, equally clear expectations of the series as a whole, alongside concise guidelines accompanying each volume in the series. The writing of introductory texts of any form can be fraught with discontent as one is forced to mindfully grapple with what stays and what goes—in other words, extracting the supplementary from the essential, never an easy task when writing about religion and sacred truths. Henry’s patient counsel in matters of organization, form, and tone, all the while leaving the content of the material to each contributor, has led, I believe, to a series holding fast to the ideals of rigorous scholarship while allowing for a connection between the writer and reader of each volume. My thanks also to Patricia Crosby and the rest of the editorial team at the University of Hawai‘i Press for assistance and kind patience throughout the writing and publishing process. Humble gratitude goes out to my students at the University of Waterloo , most particularly to those in my Sikhism courses. Addressing their assumptions, questions, and unwillingness to settle for easy answers , based largely on their own experiences in organized religions, played an integral role in shaping my approach in the writing of this volume. Clearly, learning and teaching about Sikhism, or any other religion, mean going beyond neat and tidy categories that allow for neat and tidy conclusions. I am indebted to my colleagues and friends Eleanor Nesbitt, Pashaura Singh, Michael Hawley, and Himadri Banerjee, who in reading drafts of this book graciously donated that scarce and ever elusive commodity of time along with an abundance of insight, gentle critique, and even more important, constructive suggestions for change. Nonetheless, the shortcomings of this volume are decidedly and stubbornly my own. To my inner circle of beloveds, you know who you are—thank you for still caring as I gave less than I received for far too long; I plan to xiv Acknowledgments make it up to you soon. Last but never least, to my children, Jesse and Kaira, who are indelibly a part of everything I am and strive for, and to Paul Roorda, who continues to enthrall and inspire after so many years, my gratitude and love, more than words can ever say. This book is dedicated to the memory of N. Gerald Barrier, a sturdy beacon in Sikh studies who seemed so easily to embody, truly beyond measure, that rare combination of scholarly excellence, humility , and kindness. He is greatly missed. Waterloo, Ontario ...