Kathmandu: The 15th Century bronze image of Buddha Shakyamuni has been located in China Guardian Auctions, Hong Kong/China, according to the Lost Arts of Nepal. The centuries-old idol was stolen on April 10, 2016 from the Gakar Monastery, Dho Tarap, Dolpo.
“This [the idol] is the most important image of the Monastery Collection, which contains heart, eye and tongue relics of 4th Gakar Rinpoche. It is believed that the image of Yogini Machik Labdron on the Chest of the Buddha self arose,” it writes on its Facebook page. The Lost Arts of Nepal is a group working towards identifying and locating lost artifacts from Nepal scattered around the world.
After the idol was stolen, police arrested several smugglers involved in stealing the centuries-old idol. From the arrested, police also confiscated three small images and a large Buddhist Manuscript.
However, Dhawa Thapa, the mastermind of the loot, was able to flee with the idol and a coral necklace.
“This Buddha Has Remained in a Reputed Private Collection in China, Which is Now Offered for Sale Through China Guardian Auctions, Hongkong/China Scheduled on 27th November 2022 CE, Lot No. 2422,” the group writes.
Nepal Heritage Recovery Campaign has already filed complaints to the Department of Archeology and all concerned parties are notified to act for repatriation of the image, it said.
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