Hsingyun.org — Get in Touch with Us

Frequently Asked Questions

Sharing Our Publications

What is the relationship between Hsingyun.org and FGSITC?

Hsingyun.org is a nonprofit organization associated with Fo Guang Shan International Translation Center (FGSITC), a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit. We are dedicated to translating and distributing quality translations of classical Buddhist texts as well as works by contemporary Buddhist teachers and scholars. We embrace Humanistic Buddhism and promote Buddhist writing that is accessible, community oriented, and relevant to daily life.

What is the copyright protection of your publications?

Our publications are offered freely to download, read, and enjoy, but they are still subject to copyright protection and you need permission to use them in any public domain. If you plan to post our publications to your or any websites, we strongly encourage you to contact us for permission. Do not modify them in any way, and retain the copyright and other notices at the beginning of each publication.

We ask that you do not use any files offered on our website to print and distribute your own copies of our publications. If you would like to support our efforts to translate, print, and distribute Buddhist texts, please consider donating.

Can I resell your publications?

No. Our publications are funded through donations, and are offered as a gift of Dharma for those seeking to learn more about Buddhism. They should never be sold nor included as part of a collection that is for sale.

Where can I find printed copies of your publications?

Many of our partner temples and organizations carry printed copies. If you live in the United States, you can request publications through our website by clicking on any individual title and clicking “Submit Request.” All of our publications are shipped via US Postal Service Media Mail, and will be delivered within ten business days.

How can I review publications before I order them?

To view a specific publication, go to our website and click on the "Publication" tab, and then click on the title link under the publication image.

Can I request publications for group use?

Yes. For large groups such as temple(s), school(s), institution(s), or organization(s), please contact us or fill out the form for “Organization Use.”

When will you reprint your publications?

While electronic editions of all of our publications are available to read online at any time, we occasionally run out of print copies for popular publications. If you would like to request copies of one of our publications, and it is out of print, please contact us. Your feedback helps us gauge and modify our print runs, and we will notify you once that publication becomes available again.

Do you do international shipment?

Generally, no. Shipping our publications outside the United States is very expensive. We encourage our international readers to enjoy the electronic versions of our publications, or to request print copies from one of our partnered temples. If you would like to request a large number of publications to be distributed in your country, please contact us.

Supporting the Hsingyun.org (FGSITC)

How can I contribute to your organization?

It is very easy to make a contribution. You can donate funds via our website (one click) or send us a check payable to “FGSITC”. We also collect donations through our PayPal Giving Fund account. If you would like to make a sizable monetary donation of funds, materials, or other resources to our organization, please contact us. We will have our staff follow up with you. In addition, the Fo Guang Shan International Translation Center (FGSITC) is a 501(c)(3) religious organization, and donations made by those in the United States are tax-deductible.

How much do the publications cost?

Some donors are interested in funding the printing of a certain number of copies of a given publication. Though each publication varies, the cost of editorial work, printing, and distribution of our small booklets is generally two dollars per booklet. The associated costs for our book-length works are generally between twelve and twenty dollars.

Can I volunteer for Hsingyun.org?

Yes. If you live in the greater Los Angeles area and would like to volunteer as an editor, translator, or production assistant, please contact us.

Does Hsingyun.org accept manuscripts to be considered for publication?

No. We exclusively publish translations of Buddhist sutras and commentaries, plus select contemporary Buddhist works from the monastics of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order.