Jewels linked to Buddha remains go to auction, sparking ethical debate
Summary
Jewels that are believed to have a connection to Buddha are going to be sold at auction, an event which has caused some concern about ethics. These jewels were discovered over a century ago in northern India and have been part of a private British collection.Key Facts
- The jewels being auctioned include almost 1,800 pearls, rubies, sapphires, and gold sheets.
- They were found in 1898 in Uttar Pradesh, India, near Buddha's birthplace.
- The jewels were discovered alongside bone fragments identified as belonging to Buddha.
- Questions about the ethics of the sale have been raised as these artifacts are considered sacred to India's history.
- The bone relics found with the jewels have been given to countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar for veneration.
- The current owner considered donating the jewels but decided an auction was the fairest way to transfer them to Buddhists.
- Sotheby's, the auction house, confirms it conducted a thorough review of the jewels regarding their authenticity and provenance.
- Experts in Southeast Asian art question if human remains should be traded and who gets to decide what qualifies as human remains.
- Some Buddhist leaders express concern about the sale of the relics, stating that they were originally granted to the Buddha's community.
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