Products FAQs
I make a product and am hoping that you will sell them in your catalog.
Hello from DharmaCrafts,
Thanks so much for writing to us about your product. You are welcome to submit a sample of your product or you can send photos and we'll contact you if we'd like to see the "real thing." Please note that we are unable to return samples and, because we're small, we will not be able to notify when we receive your sample.
You may email photos to: samples@dharmacrafts.com (subject line: samples) or you may send them to:
DharmaCrafts
Samples Department
29 South Canal Street
Lawrence, MA 01843
Thanks so much for thinking of us!
I noticed that many of your zen garden statues are made of resin. What is resin?
Resin is a remarkably durable substance that is fast becoming the material of choice for the production of garden ornaments. Resin has the appearance of metal and the feel of wood. It is much lighter in weight than concrete or stone and offers hightened detail.
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How should I clean my Buddhist statue?
DharmaCrafts sells a variety of Buddhist statues made in a number of materials including porcelain and brass. We recommend a periodic dusting to maintain their beauty. You should not wash or use any abrasives or cleansers on our Buddhist statues as the finish may be removed or damaged.
May I leave my garden statue out over winter?
You may leave your garden statue outside over winter. However, it should be noted that extreme cold or heat can damage the statue; therefore, it is recommended that your statue is not placed on a surface that absorbs a lot of heat in the summer (like blacktop) or holds water and may freeze in the winter (such as a low level area). If left outside, your statue will weather and age and develop a unique character all its own.
What is a Mala and how is it used?
Malas, also known as prayer beads or rosary beads, are used in many Buddhist traditions to count repetitions when reciting mantras and when performing prostrations. DharmaCrafts' malas are made here in the USA or in Korea and are very strong and durable.
What is the significance of Kuan Yin?
Kuan Yin, also known as Kwan Yin in other traditions, is the manifestation of Great Love and Great Compassion. Her name means "one who hears the cries of the world". Kuan Yin is most often represented as a female deity but has the power to assume whatever form is necessary to fulfill her vow to save all beings from suffering. She is often shown holding a vase containing the waters of compassion, the lotus flower of enlightenment, or the jewel of the three treasures.
What is the significance of chakras?
Chakra means 'wheel' in Sanskrit. The chakras are said to be swirling centers of energy within the body and play a role in both the yogic tradition and Vajrayana Buddhism. Each chakra is traditionally associated with a specific part of the body, a corresponding color and a gemstone.
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How do you fold the veil on a thangka?
It only looks complicated! The easy steps are: Beginning at the bottom of the veil, fold it like an accordion or fan in 1 inch or 2 inch folds. When the veil is fully folded at the top of the thangka, pull the middle of the folded material through the horizontal string that runs across the top of the thangka and drape the material to your liking.
Who is Zen Master Seung Sahn?
Zen Master Seung Sahn, one of the most beloved and innovative teachers in the world today, was the founding teacher of the
Kwan Um School of Zen. Zen Master Seung Sahn was the 78th Patriarch in his line of transmission in the Chogye order of Korean Buddhism.
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Do you have samples of your incense?
We have some sampler assortments from the Shoyeido line of premium Japanese incense. These samplers are an inexpensive method to try an assortment of premium incense from one of Japan's leading producers.
How should tatami mats be cleaned?
Tatami mats are made of woven rush grass and should be cleaned gently with a damp cloth and wiped dry. You do not want to get your tatami mats wet, and spills should be avoided.
What is the translation for the Four Panel Calligraphy Screen?
This
lovely screen is painted in Chinese and and is titled "Enso," meaning Zen Circle. On the left is an excerpt from the famous Zen poem, Human Route.
Coming empty-handed,
Going empty-handed,
That is the human route.
On the right is the monastery signature from the makers of the screen.
What size bulb should I use in the Lotus Pod Lamp?
The Lotus Pod lamp comes with a standard night-light bulb. Or you may use a 15w appliance bulb available at your local home center or hardware store.
Why is the price range of Japanese incense so wide?
The price of incense varies depending upon the rarity of the ingredients. For instance, the most prized incense is made with jinko or aloeswood. Aloeswood is formed by a very mysterious phenomenon of nature when a tree falls in a misty tropical forest. In a unique process that takes hundreds of years, resins within the wood solidify making it very dense and concentrating exquisite fragrance. Simply put, the more aloeswood in the incense, the more expensive the incense.
Why do some tea and dish sets come with four cups and some with five?
In both Chinese and Japanese cultures, the number "four" represents death. Therefore it is an unlucky number. For this reason, many Asian tea sets have five cups. Sets with four cups or dishes are made to cater to the Western market, where the number four holds no special meaning.
What is your position on doing business with China?
As a socially responsible, Buddhist business, DharmaCrafts enthusiastically upholds and supports the Tibetan people's struggle for self-determination and freedom as well as the preservation of Tibetan culture. Additionally, we support the work of Tibetan artists and craftspeople living in exile.
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Shipping FAQs
What are your shipping rates?
Learn about our shipping rates on our Shipping Information page.
Can I track my packages online?
Yes, if you provide an email address when placing a phone or web order, DharmaCrafts will email you an order confirmation and UPS tracking number for your order on the day it ships.
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When will my order be shipped?
Phone orders:Orders placed before 2 P.M. (EST) Monday through Friday will be processed the same business day and shipped the following business day, providing that the item is in stock.
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Do you have overnight delivery?
We do offer UPS Next Day shipping. It is important to remember that orders DO NOT ship the day you place the order. Orders placed before 1:00pm EST ship on the following day. more...
Do you ship items to international addresses?
DharmaCrafts is happy to ship orders to our international customers. Unfortunately, we cannot fulfill "drop ship items." more...
Why do some items have a shipping surcharge added to the normal shipping cost?
A shipping surcharge has been added to select furniture and other oversized and/or heavy items because of increased shipping costs. The surcharge is listed in parentheses ($ ) after the item price. The surcharge is in addition to the standard delivery charges.
I wish to send someone a gift from DharmaCrafts. Does DharmaCrafts offer gift cards?
We will include a gift card free of charge for gift orders. Our DharmaCrafts Customer Service Specialists will hand-write your special message in a beautiful card and include it in the shipment to your gift recipient.
Web Ordering FAQs
How can I tell if I successfully submitted my web order?
After you click on the "Place My Order" button on the Order Review screen, you will see a confirmation screen that looks like this:
 Very rarely, a hiccup can occur that prevents this message from being displayed. Another way to verify that your order has been submitted is to check the inbox of the email account you provided during checkout. Upon submittal of your order, a confirmation email is sent to you that contains your web order confirmation number and a summary of your order items. If there is ever a question about the completion of an order, you may email customer_service@dharmacrafts.com or call 800.794.9862 and we would be happy to check on your order status.
How do I complete the shipping and billing address fields for my international address?
Not all addresses will use all of the address fields. For example, an order to Australia will not have its State/Province listed as an option on the State/Province drop-down list. In this instance, leave that field empty (the first option of the drop-down is blank) and then enter your province into the Other State/Province field (see NSW below). Also, be sure that the country is selected from the Country drop-down list, or you will receive an error message if you try to proceed past the address screen.
 If you still receive an error message on this screen, please call Customer Service at 800.794.9862 and we will be happy to assist you.
The returning customer login screen will not accept my password, what do I do?
There is an option on the Secure Checkout Sign-In page to have your password emailed to you. Simply enter the email address that you used to set up the account and we will send your password information immediately to that address.
I just placed a web order, but changed my mind. How do I cancel or change my order?
Please call our Customer Service Department at 800.794.9862 or email customer_service@dharmacrafts.com and we will cancel the current order for you. Then you may either place a new order by phone or online with the correct information.
How can I tell which check out field is causing an error?
The fields marked in red indicate which fields need to be modified. In the example on the address screen below, because the State/Province was omitted, the error carried over to the country and Other State/Province fields as well. Selecting the appropriate state from the drop-down list provided will insure that the information is complete and will allow you to pass onto the next check out stage.
I created a new customer account with an incorrect email address. How can I change this?
If you remember your password, you may log back into your account and update the email address used for your account (My Account at the top of the order screen or Sign In at the bottom). If you don't remember your password, the password reminder email will not be delivered, so you will need to create a new account. Since the only information stored in your online account is your name and address, this will not affect your customer status. If you remember the incorrect email address you used but not the password, please email webmaster@dharmacrafts.com and we can delete the erroneous account for you.
Meditation FAQs
Introduction to the Zafu & Zabuton
Place the zafu (pronounced za' - foo) almost in the center of the zabuton (pronounced za' - bu - ton), a bit to the back.
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Half-Lotus Posture
Sit down on the zafu.Tuck in one of your legs. Place your right foot on your left thigh, or your left foot on your right thigh.
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Basic Meditation Position
Keep your spine straight, shoulders down and relaxed, the back of the neck in line with your spine.
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Meditation Mudra
Rest your left hand inside the right hand, palms facing upward, thumbs lightly touching. This is called the Cosmic Mudra, or Meditation Mudra.
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Cross-Legged Posture
Here is another meditation posture. The legs are simply crossed. Hands rest on the lower thigh. Most important is keeping the back and neck straight.
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Chair Posture
Some people are unable to sit on the floor. Sitting in a chair is a perfectly acceptable way to practice meditation.
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Seiza Posture
This posture is called “seiza” (pronounced say’-zah) or kneeling position.
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Listen to Your Body
Here we show the Whatever Cushion under a sore knee. When you begin practicing meditation, you should expect
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Lying Posture
Sometimes due to illness or accidents, it is not possible to sit upright. In that case, you may practice meditation lying down.
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