Sotheby’s Hong Kong is preparing to hold an auction of ancient jewellery linked to the Buddha this week, but it has come under fire from the Indian government.
The auction, set for Wednesday, is said to be a collection of “gem relics” to be sold in Hong Kong.
However, India’s Ministry of Culture claims the sale violates Indian law, international norms and United Nations conventions.
The organisation has issued a legal order to halt the sale.
Sotheby’s listed the gems as being of “unparalleled religious, archaeological and historical importance” after they were found in an urn belonging to Gautama Buddha owned by the Sakya clan.
The gem relics are sacred to many Buddhists, who believe they are the fleshy remains of the Buddha, according to CNN.
Most of the gems were sent to the Indian Museum in Kolkata when they were found, but a “replica” was given to William Claxton Peppé, the British colonial engineer who unearthed the relics.
Now, Pepe’s descendants are auctioning off the sacred gems, angering the Indian government and many Buddhists.
The country’s culture ministry said Monday it was taking “swift and comprehensive” steps to “immediately” stop the sale of the gems and “highlight the illegality of the auction and ensure compliance with international law.”
