Religion

struggle4progress

(118,306 posts) Thu Jul 25, 2013, 01:06 AM Jul 2013

Bones of the Buddha

... The mystery surrounding the bones of the Buddha dates back more than 100 years ago, when colonial estate manager William (Willie) Peppe and his workers began digging at a mysterious hill in Northern India. Peppe had no idea what they’d find just a little more than 20 feet down. They unearthed an astonishing discovery: a huge stone coffer, containing five reliquary jars, more than 1,000 separate jewels – carved semi-precious stones and gold and silver objects – and some ash and bone. One of the jars bore a Sanskrit inscription which, when translated, stated the jar contained the remains of the Buddha himself.

Doubt and rumors of forgery have overshadowed this remarkable find dividing, Buddhist scholars for more than 100 years. Many believe the whole thing is an elaborate hoax. Others insist the tomb on Peppe’s estate is no less than the final resting place of the leader of one of the world’s great religions, a sage who died nearly 2,500 years ago. For the doubters, suspicion focuses on a key figure from the time, disgraced German archaeologist Dr. Anton Fuhrer ...

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/featured/bones-of-the-buddha-about-this-episode/1023/

I thought it was a fascinating show

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Bones of the Buddha (Original Post) struggle4progress Jul 2013 OP

Interesting Warpy Jul 2013 #1

(1) The bone fragments were apparently cremains, but (2) apparently the British Empire struggle4progress Jul 2013 #2

Warpy

(111,286 posts)

1. Interesting

Reply to struggle4progress (Original post)

Thu Jul 25, 2013, 01:36 AM

Jul 2013

Have they carbon dated the bones?

It also seems a bit odd that he wasn't cremated, since that was the preferred way of disposing with dead bodies.

struggle4progress

(118,306 posts)

2. (1) The bone fragments were apparently cremains, but (2) apparently the British Empire

Reply to Warpy (Reply #1)

Thu Jul 25, 2013, 02:22 AM

Jul 2013

in its infinite imperial wisdom many many years ago gave the bone fragments as a diplomatic gift to the King of Siam, a Buddhist, in hopes of smoothing the Empire's relationship with him, and the documentary discusses the fragments no further, which makes me suspect they have since been lost

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