Shipping & Returns

Shipping & Handling

We understand that people have come to expect fast, free shipping from online retailers. As a small religious non-profit, we do not have a high enough order volume to make free shipping a feasible option for our business. As a full-time training monastery that cloisters for one week out of every month in silent retreat, shipping and delivery can take two weeks from the time you place your order.

If you are shipping items to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico or Canada, we will contact you to authorize additional shipping charges. We do not ship outside the US and Canada. Orders usually ship via USPS First Class, Priority Mail or UPS. Some orders going to the west coast may ship FedEx Ground. Please leave a note in your order or contact us if you have questions or specifications for delivery.

Zafus and zabutons ship from our supplier in Massachusetts via UPS. Shipping charges are generated based on delivery location, package size and weight. Because the carrier is UPS, it's preferable to provide us with a street address, rather than a PO Box for cushion orders. The shipping rates for cushions will be calculated by weight, package size and destination. Everything else ships from The Monastery Store in Mount Tremper, NY, usually via USPS First Class, Priority Mail or UPS. Some orders going to the west coast may ship FedEx Ground. Your products will arrive at their destination in about 2 weeks, depending on the shipping location. 

We do everything we can to ship to you using environmentally responsible materials. We do not purchase bubble wrap or other non-biodegradable packing materials, although we do re-use boxes, bubble wrap and other packing materials that come in packages we receive here. Sometimes, we use shredded paper from the Monastery as packing material.

New York residents pay 8% sales tax. 

Exchanges & Returns

We want you to be happy with your order. If you're not, we do accept returns and exchanges for items in good condition within 30 days of the purchase date. We cannot, however, accept returns of incense or downloadable digital files.

If you want to return a Zafu or Zabuton in new condition within 30 days of the date of purchase. Please make sure the items are clean. Please  mail, along with your name and order number, to:

The Monastery Store
C/O Sun and Moon Originals
46 Conway Street, Suite B
Shelbourne Falls, MA 01370

For all other items in new condition within 30 days of the date of purchase, please include your name and order number, and mail to:

The Monastery Store
ATT: RETURNS
871 Plank Road
Mount Tremper, NY 12457

Ship all returns at the surface rate, prepaid and insured (we cannot be responsible for uninsured items). Please let us know why you're not satisfied with the product so that we can improve our service to you. 

We reserve the right to refuse a returned item if it is damaged or altered, and to charge a 10% restocking fee for large items such as zafu/zabuton sets and temple gongs. 

If we sent you an item by mistake, or if it was defective or damaged, we will reimburse your return shipping cost and offer an exchange or full refund. If you have any questions about our return policy, please call us at 845-688-7993 or email: customerservice@dharma.net.