FAQ

Q: What is Tharpa Publications?

A: Tharpa Publications is a non-profit Buddhist publisher that is part of the New Kadampa Tradition–International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU). It was established in 1983 with the main purpose of publishing books by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. The word "Tharpa" (pronounced "Tar-pa") means "Liberation" and was suggested by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. Click here for more information.

 

Q: I'm having problems placing my order over the Internet. What should I do?

A: We are happy to take your order over the phone. Please call 1 (416) 762-8710, during our office hours (Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm & 2pm-5pm, Eastern Time). Or you can also email. 

 

Q: How soon will I receive my order?

A: All orders ship from Toronto, Ontario. Individual orders are dispatched within 2-4 business days of receipt of your order. Larger Centre orders take up to 5 business days to ship. You will receive an email confirmation once your order is dispatched. 

Q: How do I return an item?

A: We want you to be delighted with your Tharpa products. Items can be returned according to our Terms and conditions, and within 30 days of receipt of your written notice of cancellation, we will refund any monies paid to us in respect of the cancelled order.

 

Q: I'm having problems with my download. What should I do?

A: If you have purchased a downloadable product but cannot access the downloads, please check that you have "enabled" your Tharpa.com account.

New accounts can be "enabled" by clicking the link in the confirmation email sent when you set up your account. Occasionally these emails are filtered into the spam folder, so please check there if you cannot find it in your email inbox.

Once you have enabled your account by clicking the link in the email, you should be able to access your downloads by logging in to www.tharpa.com/ca/ and going to "Help and Instructions for my downloadable products".

If you have followed these steps but still cannot access your download please contact us.

 

Q: I know nothing about Buddhism, which books do you recommend for a beginner?

A: We produce a range of books for beginners, which are headlined in our Books to begin with section of the website, all of which require no previous knowledge of Buddhism:

- Introduction to Buddhism is a clear and inspiring explanation of key Buddhist principles.
- Modern Buddhism is a special presentation of Buddha's teachings on compassion and wisdom that communicates their essence in a way that is easy to understand and put into practice.
- The New Meditation Handbook is an explanation of twenty-one essential Buddhist meditations that guide us step-by-step towards enlightenment.
- Transform Your Life includes practical advice for transforming our mind, our relationships and our life.
- How to Solve our Human Problems explains how Buddha's teachings can help us to solve basic human problems such as anger.
- Mahamudra Tantra is a clear and simple introduction to the very essence of Buddhist Tantric meditation.

 

Q: Can you recommend any meditation groups to learn to meditate?

A: The New Kadampa Tradition has over 1,000 meditation groups in many major cities throughout the World. To find your nearest group please click here

 

Q: I want to learn to meditate, which books or CDs do you recommend?

A: The New Meditation Handbook is an explanation of twenty-one essential Buddhist meditations that guide us step-by-step towards enlightenment, and also includes practical information on how to begin and sustain a daily meditation practice. Our Living Meditation series includes a popular range of guided meditation CDs, which are a perfect way to learn to meditate. They include explanatory booklets with techniques on how to improve our meditation practice. The Meditation section of our website includes some basic information about what is meditation, meditation for beginners and a simple breathing meditation.

 

Q: Why does Tharpa only sell books written by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso?

A: There are many traditions of Buddhism and all are equally precious. The presentation of Buddha's teachings may change, but it is important that the lineage of these teachings remains pure and unbroken. The main purpose in establishing Tharpa Publications was to spread the Kadampa Buddhist teachings of the lineage of Atisha and Je Tsongkhapa as specially presented for the modern world by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

 

Q: What happens to the profits from the sale of Tharpa products?

A: All profits received by Tharpa Publications are donated to the NKT-International Temples Project, which is part of the New Kadampa Tradition-International Kadampa Buddhist Union, a non-profit charity registered in England and established for public benefit.