[Buddha-l] The upaya express

[Dan Lusthaus]

> What wonders me is, what is happening to the incredible art
> objects in those temples that closed? Have they entered the legal
> or illegal antique markets by now???
> Anybody have some clues?
> One is tempted to envisage the Mappo as a huge, world-wide flea
> market where ancient objects from world cultures are up for sale
> to the highest bidders, while everybody else is starving or dying
> of plagues.

Hard to say for all, but you are not far off. Many temples in Japan are 
actually family/clan owned, or belonging to a specific core community. 
Sometimes when temples close, esp. valuable things are moved into storage on 
someone's property, sometimes things are sold off (to other temples if they 
can find one willing; or art collectors, or some willing museum curator; or 
whomever). Different communities handle it differently.

The auction is on. Get your bid in.
http://tinyurl.com/ybpknvf

Dan