Sotheby's stopped selling some jewels that were said to be connected to Buddha. They stopped because the government in India did not want them to sell the jewels.

The auction house said that the jewels for sale were found together in special boxes in northern India in 1898. They were found with bones of the historical Buddha. The auction house said the jewels were from about 240 to 200 years before Christ.

But India's Ministry of Culture said on Facebook that they sent a legal letter to Sotheby's Hong Kong. They asked them to stop the sale right away. They said the sale broke Indian laws and international rules.

In a letter to Sotheby's Hong Kong, they said the auction was selling holy Buddhist things. These things are a very important part of the religious history of India and Buddhists everywhere. They asked for the holy things to be given back to the Indian government. They also wanted Sotheby's and Chris Peppé to say sorry to everyone.

Peppé is the great-grandson of British William Peppé. William Peppé found the relics.

The Indian government sent a letter. It said if the auction house did not listen, they would take them to court. They would also tell people that the auction house was helping to keep old unfairness alive and selling holy things in a wrong way.

Sotheby's said on Wednesday that they would hold the event later. They said they understood the concerns of the Indian government and that the owners of the items agreed to the change.

This will let the parties talk, and we will share news when it is right.

Some pages on the Sotheby's website about the auction could not be seen on Wednesday.

India's culture ministry said on Facebook on Wednesday that they were happy because the sale was stopped after they helped.