Arts & Sciences

Père Marquette Lecture: ‘Philosophical Reflections on Śabad (Word),’ April 30

The 53rd Père Marquette Lecture will be held in the Raynor Memorial Libraries Beaumier Suites on Sunday, April 30, at 2 p.m.  

The esteemed lecturer is Dr. Arvind-Pal S. Mandair of the University of Michigan, who will speak on “Philosophical Reflections on Śabad (Word): Event—Resonance—Revelation.”

The śabad doctrine, also often referred to as śabad-guru (literally word-as-guru), is a foundational pillar of Sikh philosophy, spiritual praxis, political theology and a critical term in Sikh scripture. 

This lecture examines the passage of śabad from premodern scriptural sources to its entanglement in contemporary “wars of scholarship” and offers a postsecular interpretation of this important concept.

The event is free and open to the public. No registration is required. 

The Père Marquette Lecture was established in 1969 under the auspices of the Department of Theology. The series was endowed by the children of Joseph A. Auchter (1894-1986), a Milwaukee banker, in honor of their father. In keeping with its history, the lectureship continues to recognize and honor theologians of international renown whose work has made an outstanding original contribution to the field.