Bookstore - Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about our Bookstore.

If you don't see the answer to the question that you'd like to ask, you can send your question via e-mail to Dan, Dan the Bookstore Man.

Q: How do I make a purchase?
A: You can make a purchase in person at the Kadampa Center Bookstore. We are a self-service Bookstore, set up to be as convenient as possible. Each book has an index card with the title, author and price listed on it. Simply take the index card(s) from the book(s) you'd like to buy and place them with cash or a check made out to Kadampa Center in an envelope and then place the envelope in the red payment box on top of the glass display case. (We can usually only make change for cash payments on Sunday mornings.) If the item does not have an index card, please write a brief note on the envelope indicating what you purchased (e.g., Mandala magazine, incense, prayer flags).

You may also pay for your purchases (or make a donation) by Visa or Master Card. Please see Dan or one of our other Bookstore helpers to pay by credit card (or one of several other members. If Dan's not there just ask someone if they know who is trained to take credit cards and they will find out.)

Q: How do I know how much to pay for the books?
A: The price is listed on the index card inside the book and it is the publisher's price plus 6.5% NC sales tax. Some books, such as those used in our classes and selected new releases, are discounted. There is a sign at the Bookstore checkout table which indicates which books are currently discounted and what the special price is.

Note: as of January 1st, 2010, we have changed our discount policy so that the discount is not only for members, but for everyone. Also, not every book is discounted, but books used in our classes and Sunday Teachings, as well as some new books are discounted. Please see the sign at the Bookstore checkout table for a list of which books are currently discounted.

Q: So, why should I buy books from this Bookstore?
A: There are several reasons why you should make your purchases of Dharma books and other items in the Kadampa Center Bookstore. First, your purchase will greatly support our new fund to build a long life Stupa (see below for more details). Also, spending wisely does not just mean finding the cheapest price, no matter what; it also means spending your money where it will do the most good. Your purchase with us will do you good, and do our community good.

Q: Can I make a purchase online?
A: No. Sorry, but we are not set up for e-commerce yet. We do hope to one day be able to process orders online, but since we are an all-volunteer organization, we just don't have the manpower.

Q: How about by phone or mail?
A: Again, due to our limited staffing and being an all-volunteer organization, we can not handle a large volume of orders from all around the country ... yet. If it is a special situation, you could e-mail Dan and he'll see what we can do.

Q: Can I special order a book?
A: Yes! We do accept special orders and they are available at no extra cost. Simply e-mail Dan with as much information as you know about the book that you are looking for (title, author, publisher, ISBN, etc.) and he will research to see if the book is available. *Please note: Special orders may take as long as four to eight weeks to arrive, as they may not coincide with our regular ordering cycle. When the book arrives you will be notified and it will be held for you at the Center.

Q: Is it appropriate to "sell" the Dharma?
A: An excellent and complex question. Strictly speaking, it is not good for one to "sell" the Dharma or Dharma items. However, since we do live in a conventional world, and since it does cost money to print books and manufacture other items, we need to pay the people from whom we purchase those items.

According to the FPMT:

"We should always avoid the thought that we are selling the Dharma. Therefore, while charges are levied for certain Dharma items that may be sold in the Dharma shop or as part of the education program at the center, it is very important not to arise the thought of making money from the Dharma. To cover the expenses, ... is acceptable, but the motivation should not be one of making money for profit."

Q: So, what does happen to any money generated from the Bookstore?
A: The proceeds from books sold in our Bookstore are set aside toward the cost of building a long life Stupa on the site of our new Center when we purchase it. Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the director of the FPMT, has directed the Kadampa Center to build a long life Stupa here in the heart of North Carolina for the benefit of all sentient beings who may come in contact with it. Proceeds from non-book items (incense, prayer flags, katas, etc.) go to support Kadampa Center, including our Spiritual Programs and sangha support.

Q: Well, how about if I need a book now, but I just don't have the money? Can I pay you later? I'm an honest person, I'll bring in the money some other time.
A: Please do not take items from the Bookstore without paying for them at the time of purchase. We are not questioning your honesty or integrity. However, although our self-service style is set up on the honor system, our Bookstore does function like any other business, and it is not okay to take something without paying. This also relates to a basic Buddhist concept : taking what is "not freely given" creates bad karma for your future self.

Q: Who decides which books and items you carry? How is that decision made? And, from where do your products come?
A:Our volunteer Bookstore Manager, Dan, is the main person who decides which books and other items to buy - he places all of the wholesale orders. He does, however, greatly welcome any suggestions or requests of any specific titles that our members and friends may have.

Dan keeps an eye on what's "new & noteworthy" in Dharma publishing through trade catalogs from publishers and distributors, as well as checking the publishers' web sites. He buys what he feels is appropriate for our center's Bookstore to carry and what he thinks members will have an interest in. He generally orders books that are in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, since that is the type of center we are. He says that deciding which books & items to buy is as much an art as a science and that it can be quite challenging - and that he could easily fill a shop with three to four times our space.

If you are a vendor and feel that your merchandise would be appropriate for our Tibetan Buddhist Bookstore, you may send us a catalog if you wish. Please mail your catalog directly to the center.

Q: Do you need any help running the bookstore? Are there volunteer opportunities?
A: Sure, we could always use an extra pair of hands or two to help us ring up sales. If you are a member of Kadampa Center and would like to help, please feel free to speak to Dan or send him an email. We also need help whenever we have an off site event, such as a public teaching or our Light on the Path retreat planned for each fall over the next few years. Dan usually posts an email on the Kadampa email list whenever there is a need for help.

Q: How can I keep up with the newest books on Buddhism and what's going on in the Bookstore?
A: You can find out what's new and/or interesting in our Bookstore in three different ways.

• This website has just about all of the new & noteworthy books listed on our New & Noteworthy page.
• You can subscribe to the Kadampa email list through Yahoo! groups and receive the weekly Kadampa Center bulletin via email that lists the featured book of the week, which is usually a new or recent release, along with a link to our New & Noteworthy page which shows what's new & interesting in our Bookstore.
• And lastly, just come on into the Bookstore and check out our "New & Noteworthy" display for new Dharma books, and if you see Dan, just ask him what's new in the Bookstore and he'll be glad to show you.

   

  Kadampa Center, Raleigh, NC, USA
  Affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition in the lineage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama