Sadhu Sundar Singh

One of the first Indian Christian teachers to receive worldwide attention in modern times, Sundar Singh (1889-1929) wandered throughout Tibet and the Indian subcontinent as a sadhu, a penniless pilgrim wearing the traditional saffron robe. His simple explanations of spiritual truths severed the link between Christian faith and western culture; he never accepted Christianity’s cultural conventions, even as he embraced its stark original teachings. A modern Saint Francis, Sundar Singh left the wealth of his home at sixteen to live as a sadhu, or wandering holy man. His beggar-like existence, his intense devotion, his mystical encounters with Jesus, and his simple yet profound parables became the stuff of legends. No one who met him – including the thousands who flocked to hear him during his visits to Europe, the Far East, and the United States – remained unaffected.

Wisdom of the Sadhu: Teachings of Sundar Singh, edited by Kim Comer, contains excerpts from Sundar Singh’s books and articles, as well as from interviews conducted during his lifetime.

The article “Sadhu Sundar Singh: A Devout Among the Devout,” excerpted from the book, recounts the story of how Singh found Christ.

Featured Books

Acclaim

This handsome hardback has brief readings from some of the world’s leading literary and spiritual writers, offering just enough meaty and aesthetically-rich writing to please and challenge anyone who wants to dip in to a more mature sourcebook.

Hearts and Minds Bookstore
Lent is a season of restraint, but this compiled book is a Lenten (and paschal) smorgasbord, offering more than 70 excerpted readings for Lent and Easter. Inside you’ll find writings of spiritual leaders, theologians, literary favorites, mystics, and justice heroes, including Clarence Jordan, Kathleen Norris, Ernesto Cardenal, Simone Weil, Wendell Berry, Madeleine L’Engle, Philip Berrigan, and Oscar Wilde, to name a few.

Sojourners
Penetrating, relevant, and easy to read. This is an inspiring collection.

Jetti A. Oliver, National Council of Churches, India
In Sadhu Sundar Singh, Christianity and Hinduism meet, and the former stands like a flower that blossoms on an Indian stem.

Friedrich Heiler
Sadhu Sundar Singh is one of the most fascinating and enigmatic spiritual guides of the twentieth century. Rooted as it is in a distinctively Indian style, his Christian wisdom challenges Western readers to step beyond theological ideas and taste the Gospel itself. Plough has done a great service by publishing the work of this wise and holy teacher.

Robert Ellsberg, author, All Saints
Sadhu Sundar Singh’s dramatic encounter with the living Christ, his refusal to clothe his faith with western trappings, and his absolute devotion to the way of Jesus make for compelling reading. I highly recommend this book.

Richard J. Foster, author, Celebration of Discipline
Has there ever been a more hard-hitting, beautifully written, theologically inclusive anthology of writings for Lent and Easter? It’s doubtful. Many readers may well find that this collection – a sequel to the highly successful 'Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas' – is the one book they return to year after year, forgoing their usual custom of buying a new Lenten devotional each spring. Caveat lector: no one should have this much pleasure during Lent!

Publisher's Weekly starred review