The Holy Values ​​of Buddha are sent to the auction

On Wednesday, the cache of dazzling gems associated with the deadly remains of the Buddha, which were recognized as one of the most amazing archaeological finds of the modern era, will go under the hammer in Sotbiba in Hong Kong.

For more than a century, these relics, excavated from the dusty mound in northern India in 1898, were largely invisible, distraught by a private British collection.

Now that the precious stones are preparing to leave the custody of their keepers, they are stirring not only by the appetite of collectors, but also by some concerns.

They come from a brilliant treasure trove of almost 1800 pearls, rubies, tops, sapphires and gold with pictures, first stared at the brick chamber near the Buddh Homeland in the modern Uttar Pradesh in India.

Their discovery – together with bone fragments identified by the UCK, which will be, – he said the world of archeology. Nicholas Chow, the chairman of Asia Sotbis and the leader of Asian art around the world, believes that “one of the most unusual archaeological discoveries of all time and peoples.”

But, since these relics are now faced with glittering auction hall, experts say the BBC that the question arises as heavy: can the sale of treasures so closely weave into the sacred past of India?

In 1898, William Klyakstan Peppe, an English real estate manager, excavated Piprahwa, south of Lumbini, where Buddha was believed to be born. It revealed the relics, inscribed and consecrated almost 2000 years ago.

Historians agree with these relics, untouched so far, the heritage of both the descendants of Sakia Buddha and Buddhists around the world. Since then, the relics of the bones have been distributed to countries such as Thailand, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, where they continue to honor.

“Are the relics of the Buddha goods to which one can be seen as a work of art to be sold on the market?” Miracles Namujuja, a historian of art based in Delhi. “And since they are not like a seller ethically authorized for the auction?

“Because the seller is called” custodian “, I would like to ask – the keeper on whose behalf? Does they allow them to sell these relics now?”

Chris Peppe, a great -grandson of William, told the BBC that the family considered the donation of the relic, but all the options presented the problems, and the auction seemed “the most fair and transparent way of transferring these relics to Buddhists.”

Julian King, International Specialist Sotbibi and Head of the Sales Department, Himalayan Art, New York told the BBC that the auctional house made a careful inspection of gems.

“As in the case of any important points and collectors offered on sale in Sotheby’s, we conducted the necessary proper check, including in relation to authenticity and origin, legality and other opinions in accordance with our policy and industry standards for artistic works and treasures,” King said.

Ashley Thompson from the University of London and Curator Konan Chen, both experts on the art of Southeast Asia have more questions. In a joint statement, they said the BBC: “Other ethical issues that arise on sale are: Should I trade human remains? And who decides, what human remains or not? For many Buddhist practitioners worldwide, they are part and ash.”

The sale of relics also caused concern about Buddhist leaders.

“Buddha teaches us not to accept the possessions of other people without permission,” said BBC Amal Obiamist from the London Society of British Mahabodi. “Historical records show that the Sakyamuni clan was provided with the care of these relics because the Buddha came out of their community. Their desire was to preserve these relics along with jewelry such as these gems to be honored in eternity.”

Chris Peppe written What precious stones moved from their great uncle to the cousin, and in 2013 came to him and two more cousins. That’s when he began to explore their open -grandfather.

The director and editor of the Los -Angeles films wrote that he had found 1898 newspapers reports – from Reuters to New York Tribune – announcing the find of the Buddha remains.

“India’s colonization of the British became a source of cultural shame for me (and continues to be), but among the treasures that pulled their findings back to England were also people focused on the pursuit of knowledge,” writes Chris Peppe.

He noted that his studies have shown a lot about his ancestors, whom he abandoned the “Victorian prejudice from the last era”.

“I learned that Vili Peppe’s first wife decided to travel by India for the honeymoon and loved the country and its culture. Unfortunately, she died of an uncertain illness. I learned that my grandmother was indignant at the Earth’s laws applied to Indian women.

“And I learned that the excavations of Stups were attempted by Willie Peppe to provide work for their tenants who fell victim to the 1897 hunger.”

He writes “the technical schemes of ramps and great -grandfather’s pulleys, believing that he was also prepared by an engineer who could not resist the project.”

William Peppe conveyed stones, relics and relics of the colonial Indian government: bone relics went to the Buddhist King Siama (Ram V). Five relics of urn, stone suitcase and most other relics were sent to the Indian museum to Calcutta – then the Imperial Museum of Calcutta.

Only a small “part of the duplicates” he was allowed to be preserved in the Peppe family, he notes. (Sotbis notes Say that Peppe was allowed to retain approximately one -fifth of the opening.)

The sources reported the BBC that the auctional house believes that “duplicates” are original subjects that are considered to be donated by the “Indian government to keep Peppe.”

Over the last six years, gems have participated in major exhibitions, including one in Met in 2023. Peppé family also launched a site to “share our research”.

Some scientists claim that Buddha’s relics should never be seen as market goods.

“The Sothebi auction transforms these very sacred materials into provided subjects, continuing the actions of colonial violence, which has acquired them from the stupa and called them” valuable stones “and” objects that are interested in Europeans “, creating a false division with fragments of ash and bone with which they were consecrated.

Chris Peppe told the BBC that he visited all the monasteries “no Buddhists see them as bodily relics.”

“Several Buddhist scientists at Western universities have recently been offered an embarrassed logic that causes facts that can be considered as such. This is an academic structure that is not shared by Buddhists who are familiar with the details of the find,” he said.

Peppe said the family “looked at the temples and museums, and all of them presented different problems with closer control.”

“The auction seems the most fair and most transparent way to transfer these relics to Buddhists, and we are sure Sotbis will reach that.”

Some also indicate Koh-i-noorSeized by the British company of Eastern India, and now part of the crown gems, and many Indians see it as stolen. Shall be the Buddha Stones?

“I believe that repatriation is rarely needed,” Ajuju says. “Such rare and sacred relics, which are unique and determining the cultural history of the Earth, deserve exceptional attention of the government.”