Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church -131
Fr. John Vattanky S.J
Fr. John Vattanky S.J. is a distinguished scholar with profound expertise in Indian philosophy, particularly the Nyaya school of thought. He stands out as one of the few Christian scholars who dared to delve into the depths of Indian intellectual philosophy, a domain traditionally dominated by Hindu, especially Brahmin, pundits.
Born on July 3, 1931, in Marangattupilly, Kerala, Fr. John showed exceptional talent and diligence from a young age. After completing his schooling with distinction, he joined the Changanassery Minor Seminary for priestly formation. Recognizing his brilliance, the authorities sent him for further studies to the Papal Seminary in Kandy, which was then run by Belgian Jesuit priests. Inspired by their spiritual fervor, scholarship, and dedication, John joined the Society of Jesus in 1950.
After completing his Licentiate in Philosophy, John pursued Theology at St. Mary’s College, Kurseong. He earned his Licentiate in Theology with high honors and was ordained a priest in 1963.
In 1966, with the aim of pursuing research in Oriental philosophy, he moved to England. He obtained a postgraduate degree in Oriental Studies from Oxford University, where he also mastered Sanskrit and Pali languages. Upon completing his Ph.D. in Indian Philosophy from the University of Vienna, Fr. John returned to Kerala and continued his studies by establishing a center in Thiruvananthapuram for the research of Indian philosophy and religions. During this period, many of his research works were published in internationally acclaimed journals.
In 1984, Fr. John’s seminal work, “Gangesa’s Philosophy of God,” was published by the Adyar Research Library. This book, a jewel in his intellectual crown, received widespread acclaim from scholars researching in this field. In 1986, the book was honored with an award from the All India Philosophical Association. The renowned writer N.V. Krishna Warrier lauded the book in Mathrubhumi Azhchappathippu, stating: “Fr. John Vattanky’s ‘Gangesa’s Philosophy of God’ is the fruit of years of arduous and consistent study. It is one of those extraordinary books that appear only once in a while over many years. It is the culmination of vast comprehension and sharp analytical power.”
Subsequently, he took up the position of Professor of Indian Philosophy and Sanskrit at the esteemed Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth in Pune. To expand his research endeavors, he established the ‘Center for Advanced Indian Studies’ in Pune. During this time, he presented research papers at various universities and higher education centers in India and abroad. He also served as a visiting professor of Indian philosophy at Hochschul für Philosophie München in Germany and Santa Clara University in the USA. His contributions to the scholarly world through paper presentations and lectures at national and international philosophical conferences are unparalleled. In 1974, he presented a paper at the All India Oriental Conference held in Kurukshetra.
His efforts to convey the uniqueness and significance of Indian philosophy to foreign countries are highly commendable. His research papers presented at institutions such as Passau University in Germany, a Buddhist conference at Oxford University, the International Comparative Philosophy Conference in Hawaii, USA, and the Centre for Oriental Studies at Oxford University, exemplify these endeavors. His lectures on Indian intellectual philosophy, especially the possibilities of Nyaya philosophy, at the prestigious American universities of Texas and Washington, were widely praised. Recognizing Fr. John Vattanky’s original contributions to Indian philosophy, Hindu ascetics honored him at a widely publicized ceremony. This was a well-deserved recognition of his unique contributions to this field as a Catholic priest.
A brilliant orator, Fr. John also finds time amidst his rigorous research to conduct refresher courses for university faculty. Such lectures have been organized in Santiniketan (Bengal), Pune, and Lucknow. Although the Center for Advanced Indian Studies founded by Fr. John is a relatively small institution, it undertakes highly distinguished research projects. It is one of India’s leading institutions in the study of Nyaya Shastra, one of the most complex branches of Indian intellectual philosophy. The institution’s success in translating and publishing many invaluable texts related to Navya-Nyaya philosophy, which has existed since the 13th century, with comprehensive commentaries, is a testament to Fr. John’s dedication to research.
Commenting on Fr. John Vattanky’s book, “Nyaya Philosophy of Language,” the renowned scholar Dr. Richard De Smet S.J. wrote: “For the first time since the extraordinary genius Robert De Nobili S.J. who lived in the 16th century, a Christian scholar has so deeply understood Nyaya Shastra.”
Fr. John Vattanky’s published contributions to this research area in book form include:
- Gangesa’s Philosophy of God
- Nyaya Philosophy of Language
- The Development of Nyaya Theism
- A System of Indian Logic: Nyaya Theory of Inference
He continues his relentless research and is currently working on a new book.
His continuous research over the past four decades is inspired by the Jesuit vision: “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” (For the greater glory of God). His work is also a proactive response to the call of the late Pope John Paul II to deeply assimilate India’s rich spiritual and intellectual heritage.
Beyond Indian philosophy, Fr. John Vattanky also shows a keen interest in theology. While studying the unparalleled genius of Indian philosophy, Shankara, he also dedicates time to read and deeply study Mar Ephrem, a prominent figure among the Syriac Church Fathers. Thus, Fr. John Vattanky, a multifaceted genius who has excelled in diverse fields, continues to shine as an invaluable, untarnished gem in the Church of Kerala.
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