Context:

Sotheby's postponed the auction of sacred jewels associated with the Buddha's remains in Hong Kong following a threat of legal action by the Indian government, who argued the sale violated religious and cultural heritage laws. The collection, discovered by British official William Claxton Peppé in India nearly 130 years ago, includes gems dating back to the Mauryan Empire and Ashokan Era, and is considered a significant archaeological find. The Indian government, supported by Buddhist academics and leaders, claimed the sale offended the global Buddhist community and breached international conventions. Discussions were initiated between a high-level Indian delegation and Sotheby's, leading to the auction's suspension and removal of promotional materials. The gems, unearthed at Piprahwa near Lumbini, the believed birthplace of Buddha, consist of rubies, topaz, sapphires, and gold sheets, emphasizing their historical and religious significance.

Dive Deeper:

• Sotheby's halted a planned auction in Hong Kong of jewels linked to the Buddha's remains after the Indian government threatened legal action, citing violations of religious and cultural heritage laws.

• Discovered by William Claxton Peppé in northern India, the relics date back nearly 2,000 years and include a collection of gems from the Mauryan Empire, described as one of the most extraordinary archaeological finds.

• The Indian government argued that selling these relics offends the global Buddhist community and contravenes both Indian and international laws, as well as United Nations conventions.

• A high-level Indian delegation engaged in talks with Sotheby's, resulting in the auction's postponement and the removal of all promotional materials from the auction house and its website.

• The jewels, part of the Piprahwa Gems collection, were originally found in a stupa near Lumbini, believed to be the birthplace of Buddha, and consist of valuable stones and gold sheets, emphasizing their religious and historical importance.