Sotheby's has delayed the auction of significant jewels linked to the Historical Buddha and the Mauryan Empire following legal warnings from the Indian government. The Piprahwa Gems, believed to be related to Buddha's remains, are considered invaluable cultural and religious heritage of India and the global Buddhist community. The auction's scheduled sale drew criticism from Buddhist scholars and monastic leaders, arguing it violated both Indian and international laws. In response to the backlash, Sotheby's has agreed to postpone the auction to allow for further discussions on these issues.
India's government stated that the auction of the Piprahwa Gems not only offends the sentiments of over 500 million Buddhists but also violates core Buddhist ethics.
Sotheby's, acknowledging the concerns raised by India, has postponed the auction, which aims to facilitate discussions between the concerned parties about the fate of the gems.
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