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CTV News
31-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
India secures return of ancient Buddhist gems
Piprahwa gems, sacred relics related to Buddha, are seen after being repatriated to India after 127 years on July 30, 2025 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Sonu Mehta/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) New Delhi, India -- India has recovered a set of relics linked to early Buddhism more than a century after they were removed from the country during the British colonial period, officials said Wednesday. The Piprahwa gems date back to around the third century BC and were unearthed in 1898 by Englishman William Claxton Peppe in northern India. India's culture ministry said it secured the return of the gems, which had been slated for auction in Hong Kong in May, in partnership with Mumbai-based conglomerate Godrej Industries Group. 'These relics have long held immense spiritual value for the global Buddhist community and represent one of the most important archaeological discoveries in India's history,' the ministry said in a statement. The gems will be put on public display soon, it added, without giving further details. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the recovery as a 'joyous' occasion for India's cultural heritage. 'It may be recalled that the Piprahwa relics were discovered in 1898 but were taken away from India during the colonial period,' he said in a post on social media. 'When they appeared in an international auction earlier this year, we worked to ensure they returned home,' he added. 'I appreciate all those who have been involved in this effort.' In May, the culture ministry issued a legal notice to Sotheby's, the auction house that had organised the sale of the gems, demanding it be cancelled and the relics returned to India. The ministry also called for an apology and full disclosure of provenance documents. Sotheby's postponed the auction in response. The auction house said in a statement Wednesday that it was 'delighted to have facilitated the return of the Piprahwa Gems to India'. 'Sotheby's is thrilled to have played such a central role in securing this historic outcome,' it added. The gems were excavated at the Piprahwa village near the Buddha's birthplace and have been attributed to a clan linked to the religious figure. 'This is one of the most significant instances of repatriation of our lost heritage,' culture minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said.
Free Malaysia Today
11-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Welcome to Wat Chetawan, Selangor's only Thai Buddhist temple
The vibrant entrance to the Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple, established in 1957 in Petaling Jaya. (Andrea Rhiannon Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) PETALING JAYA : Did you know Malaysia is home to at least 70 Thai Buddhist temples, most of which are located in Kelantan and Kedah? Selangor, however, has just one – but it bears the distinction of the being the only temple in the country to have been inaugurated by a Thai king. Wat Chetawan, also known as the Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple, was established in 1957 and officiated by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Located in Section 10 here – about a three-minute drive or 15-minute walk from Taman Jaya MRT station – the temple was a collaboration between the Selangor and Thai governments. Its main shrine hall, built by craftsman from Thailand, was completed in 1963. The state provided the land, and Rama IX, as Bhumibol was officially known, gifted a Buddha statue and granted his royal insignia to be displayed at the front of the hall. Adding to its significance, Wat Chetawan was entrusted by the Thai royal family with some of the Buddha's relics, said to have been discovered in India – an honour granted to only a handful of temples worldwide. Ahead of Wesak Day today, FMT Lifestyle visited Wat Chetawan and spoke with Phrakru Siribhodhivides, who has been a monk since he was 13. The late Rama IX gifted this Buddha statue for the main shrine hall of the temple. (Andrea Rhiannon Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) Having served at various temples in Thailand and Malaysia, the amiable monk said Wesak Day celebrations here are truly something special. The day begins at 6.30am with morning chants and meditation, followed by 'Tak Bat' at 11am: an offering of alms. Devotees – who often bring fruits, rice or sweets for the monks – are welcome to observe as the monks perform their rituals. Phrakru Siribhodhivides. The real celebration takes place at night, when thousands of devotees walk in procession on the outskirts of the temple, each with a joss stick, candle, and flower in hand. According to Phrakru, between 5,000 and 10,000 people are expected to attend. He said in most temples, devotees usually go around the main hall, pagoda, or Buddha statue. But given the large turnout at Wat Chetawan, they will congregate and make their way across the temple grounds, which spans more than 0.8ha, in loving remembrance of Buddha. Devotees will be surrounded by the temple's traditional Thai architecture, which was brought to life by esteemed national artists from Thailand. These include many who were responsible for structures like the Grand Palace in Bangkok. 'It's all handcrafted,' Phrakru said, pointing to a gilded wooden structure below the Buddha in the main hall. 'It's actually real gold.' Up to 10,000 devotees are expected to take part in the celebration here tonight. (Andrea Rhiannon Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) The temple also embraces a blend of cultures, with Chinese influences reflected in its rituals and architecture. This includes the presence of Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. Showing FMT Lifestyle around, Phrakru noted that temple will be illuminated of thousands of oil lamps today – another Chinese tradition. Good karma Wat Chetawan is fully supported by the generosity of its followers, ranging from small cash contributions to the provision of large structures, statues and shrines. Throughout, you'll find inscriptions of the Buddha's teachings. One interesting sight is devotees paying to release birds from their cages – a practice known as 'merit release' or 'life release'. This tradition is believed to generate good karma and bring about positive outcomes. Still, Phrakru stresses that doing good isn't something that should only take place on hallowed ground. This is the only temple in Malaysia to have been inaugurated by the late king of Thailand, back in 1957. (Andrea Rhiannon Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) 'When you help people outside, even if you just smile – that's doing good. No need to pay any money. If you make another person happy, it's a good thing already,' he said, smiling himself. This positivity is especially felt on Wesak Day, as Wat Chetawan welcomes one and all to learn about their teachings. 'Some people visit just to see how we celebrate,' Phrakru added. 'Even Muslims and Christians will come just to look. We welcome one and all – come to see how we celebrate and what we teach.' Wat Chetawan 24, Jalan Pantai 9/7, Seksyen 10, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Follow Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple on Facebook.
BreakingNews.ie
07-05-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Sotheby's postpones auction of jewels linked to Buddha after backlash in India
Sotheby's has postponed an auction of jewels associated with Buddha's remains after the Indian government opposed the sale and demanded it be halted. The gems were found buried together in reliquaries with the corporeal relics of the historical Buddha and discovered in northern India in 1898, the auction house said. They dated back to around 240-200 BC, it added. Advertisement But India's ministry of culture said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that it had issued a legal notice to Sotheby's Hong Kong to demand the immediate halt of the sale, accusing the auction of violating 'Indian laws, international norms and UN conventions'. The gems were excavated by British man William Peppe (Sotheby's via AP) In its letter to Sotheby's Hong Kong dated Monday, posted on Facebook, it said the auction involved sacred Buddhist relics that constituted the inalienable religious and cultural heritage of India and the global Buddhist community. It demanded the repatriation of the relics to the Indian government and a public apology from the auction house and Chris Peppe. Mr Peppe is a great-grandson of British man William Peppe, who excavated the relics. The Indian government warned in the letter that failure to comply would result in legal actions and public advocacy campaigns highlighting the auction house's role 'in perpetuating colonial injustice and becoming a party to unethical sale of religious relics'. Advertisement India's ministry of culture demanded the repatriation of the relics to the Indian government (Sotheby's via AP) Sotheby's announced the postponement in a statement on Wednesday, acknowledging the matters raised by the Indian government and saying it was done with the agreement of the consignors. 'This will allow for discussions between the parties, and we look forward to sharing any updates as appropriate,' it said. Some of Sotheby's webpages about the auction were no longer available on Wednesday. The Indian ministry of culture said on Facebook on Wednesday that it was 'pleased to inform' that the auction had been postponed after its intervention. Advertisement
