Jewels Linked to Buddha Go Under the Hammer

On May 7, a treasure trove of antique gems believed to be associated with the relics of Buddha is expected to hit the auction block at Sotheby’s Hong Kong. The predicted worth ranges up to approximately $100 million HK, which equates to around $12.9 million USD.

I’m a gamer here, but let me share with you an extraordinary find from my gaming imagination – a 334-piece collection known as the “Piprahwa Gems of the Historical Buddha.” This incredible assortment features pearls, rubies, topaz, sapphires, and intricate gold sheets, all hailing from the Mauryan Empire (240-200 BCE).

In 1898, British engineer William Claxton Peppé stumbled upon this treasure trove at a stupa, close to what is now Uttar Pradesh, India – not far from the Buddha’s birthplace. The relics were discovered alongside bones said to be the Buddha himself!

For more than a hundred years, the jewels were primarily kept secret within Peppé’s private family collection. However, this is about to change with an imminent auction. This upcoming event, though, has ignited significant controversy among Buddhist leaders and experts.

In a recent jointly written paper by Conan Cheong, curator, and Professor Ashley Thompson from SOAS University of London, they argue that while auction houses categorize jewels separately from remains, Buddhists view them as indivisible. They explain that for those who originally deposited them, as well as many contemporary Buddhists, gems, bones, and ash are all considered relics. Each is believed to hold the “living presence” of the Buddha.

The dispute escalated further when India’s Ministry of Culture intervened and sent a cease-and-desist order to stop the auction. A letter, made public on May 5th, requested that action be taken to “point out the illegality of the auction and enforce adherence to international regulations.” It was emphasized that these “sacred artifacts” are categorized as ‘AA’ antiques under Indian law, making their export or sale unlawful.

Chris Peppé, speaking on behalf of the family, shared with CNN that he viewed the auction as the “most fair and open” method for returning the artifacts to Buddhists. He explained that half of the earnings would be directed towards Buddhist institutions and the exhibition of the Piprahwa collection at the Indian Museum in Kolkata, where a large portion of the original hoard is currently housed.

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