Instructions for Authors

Instructions for Authors
The Journal of Guanyin Studies (JGS)

1. General Journal Policy
The Journal of Guanyin Studies considers for publication high-quality scholarly articles that align with the aims and scope of the journal. The journal seeks to promote knowledge related to the Bodhisattva Guanyin, Buddhist studies, religious studies, cultural studies, the humanities, social sciences, philosophy, ethics, the arts, as well as applied fields related to compassion and its practice in contemporary society. Manuscripts submitted for consideration must be original works that have not been previously published and are not currently under consideration by any other journal.

2. Types of Articles Accepted 
The journal considers the following types of articles for publication:
     1) Research Articles Research articles present new research findings in a systematic manner. They must include a clear research methodology and demonstrate a significant academic contribution.
     2) Academic Articles Academic articles aim to analyze, discuss, critique, or synthesize scholarly knowledge, presenting clear arguments or new perspectives on relevant topics.
     3) Review Articles Review articles systematically synthesize existing research or academic literature in order to present research trends, developments, gaps, or scholarly insights in a particular field.
     4) Book Reviews Book reviews critically evaluate recently published books, translations, or scholarly works that are relevant to the scope of the journal.

3. Language of Publication
The journal primarily accepts manuscripts written in English and may also consider manuscripts written in Thai, depending on the journal’s editorial policy at a given time. All submitted manuscripts must include the following components:
     * Title in English
     * Abstract in English
     * Keywords in English
For manuscripts written in English, the journal may require the inclusion of Thai and Chinese abstracts, in accordance with the journal’s editorial policy.

4. Requirements for Submitted Manuscripts
Manuscripts submitted to the journal must meet the following criteria:
     1) The manuscript must be the original work of the author(s).
     2) The manuscript must not have been previously published in any journal, book, or other publication.
     3) The manuscript must not be under consideration by another journal at the time of submission.
     4) The content of the manuscript must fall within the scope of the journal.
     5) The manuscript must use clear, accurate, and appropriate academic language.
     6) All sources must be properly cited and referenced in accordance with the Chicago Style citation format.
     7) If the research involves human participants, the author must provide the ethical approval number or clearly explain the ethical considerations of the research.
     8) All listed authors must have made significant contributions to the preparation of the manuscript.

5. Length of Manuscripts  
     1) Research Articles / Academic Articles / Review Articles
     These types of manuscripts should generally be approximately 5,000–8,000 words in length, including references, tables, and appendices. If a manuscript exceeds the recommended length, the editorial board may consider it on a case-by-case basis depending on the significance and appropriateness of the content.
     2) Book Reviews reviews should generally be approximately 1,500–3,000 words in length.

6. Manuscript Formatting
To maintain consistency and standardization, authors should prepare their manuscripts according to the following guidelines:
     1) Software and File Format
     Manuscripts must be prepared using Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx). The file name should clearly indicate either the abbreviated title of the article or the author’s name.
     2) Page Layout
     The manuscript should be formatted on A4-sized paper with 1-inch margins on all sides.
     3) Font and Text Format
     For English manuscripts, use Times New Roman, 12 pt for the main text, with 1.5 line spacing or double spacing, according to the journal’s template.
     For Thai manuscripts, use TH Sarabun New, 16 pt for the main text, with 1.15 or 1.5 line spacing, according to the journal’s template.
     4) Paragraph Formatting
     Paragraphs should be left-aligned or fully justified, following the journal’s template. Spacing before and after paragraphs should be consistent. Excessive font styling or unnecessary formatting should be avoided.
     5) Page Numbers
     Page numbers must be included on every page of the manuscript.

7. Components of the Manuscript
     1) Title Page The Title Page must be submitted as a separate file from the main manuscript if the journal uses a Double-Blind Review system. The Title Page should include the following information:
          (1) Article title in English
          (2) Article title in Thai (if applicable)
          (3) Full names of all authors
          (4) Institutional affiliations
          (5) ORCID iD (if available)
          (6) Email address of the corresponding author
          (7) Identification of the corresponding author
          (8) Statement of research funding sources (if applicable)
          (9) Preliminary acknowledgements (if applicable)
     2) Main Manuscript
     The Main Manuscript file must not contain the names of the authors or any identifying information, in order to ensure a double-blind peer review process.

The Main Manuscript should include the following components:

  1. Title
    The title should be concise, clear, and informative, reflecting the main content of the article without unnecessary length.
  2. Abstract
    The abstract should be approximately 150–250 words and should clearly summarize the key aspects of the article, including:
  1. Background or research problem
  2. Objectives
  3. Methodology or research approach
  4. Key findings
  5. Major conclusions or significant implications
  1. Keywords
    Provide 3–5 keywords that reflect the core themes of the article and facilitate effective indexing and search.
  2. Main Body of the Article

For Research Articles, the manuscript should generally include the following sections:

  1. Introduction
  2. Research Objectives
  3. Research Questions / Hypotheses (if applicable)
  4. Literature Review / Conceptual Framework
  5. Research Methodology
  6. Research Findings / Results
  7. Discussion
  8. Conclusion
  9. Recommendations
  10. Acknowledgements (if applicable)
  11. References

For Academic Articles, the structure may include:

  1. Introduction
  2. Issues or Analytical Framework
  3. Analytical Discussion
  4. Conclusion
  5. References

For Review Articles, the manuscript should clearly explain:

  1. Scope of the review
  2. Criteria for selecting sources or literature
  3. Methods of synthesis
  4. Key findings or major themes identified
  5. Gaps in existing knowledge

 8. Tables, Figures, and Charts 
     1) Tables, figures, and charts must be numbered consecutively in the order in which they appear in the text.
     2) Each table, figure, or chart must include a clear and descriptive title or caption.
     3) If a table, figure, or chart is reproduced or adapted from another source, the original source must be properly cited.
     4) Image files should be of sufficient resolution and quality suitable for publication.
     5) The content presented in tables or figures should not excessively duplicate information already described in the text.
     6) Authors are responsible for ensuring copyright permission when using images, figures, or data from other sources.
     Examples:
          - Table 1 Characteristics of Informants
          - Figure 1 Conceptual Framework of the Study

 9. Use of Technical Terms, Transliteration, and Classical Languages
     As the journal focuses on Buddhism and Asian cultural traditions, authors are encouraged to use specialized terminology consistently. Examples include:

  • Guanyin
  • Avalokiteśvara
  • Kuan Yin
  • Quan Âm
  • Karuṇā
  • Bodhisattva

When using terms from Pāli, Sanskrit, Chinese, or other languages, authors should:

  • Use standard transliteration systems where applicable.
  • Maintain consistent spelling and transliteration throughout the manuscript.
  • Provide translations or brief explanations when such terms first appear if they may be unfamiliar to general readers.

10. Publication Ethics Requirements  
      Authors must strictly adhere to the principles of academic and publication ethics as follows:
     1) Authors must not plagiarize the work of others.
     2) Authors must not fabricate, falsify, or manipulate research data or findings.
     3) Authors must properly cite all sources whenever using ideas, quotations, data, images, or tables from other works.
     4) Authors must not submit the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously.
     5) Authors must disclose any conflicts of interest, if applicable.
     6) Authors must identify sources of research funding, if any.
     7) If the research involves human participants or communities, it must comply with recognized research ethics standards.
     8) All listed authors must be aware of and consent to the submission of the manuscript.

11. Plagiarism and Similarity Check  
      The journal may use plagiarism detection software to screen submitted manuscripts before they are sent for peer review. Manuscripts that exceed the journal’s acceptable similarity threshold or show evidence of plagiarism will be rejected immediately.

12. Manuscript Submission Process  
      Authors must submit their manuscripts through the journal’s online submission system on ThaiJO / OJS. The following documents must be prepared and submitted:

  1. Title Page file
  2. Main Manuscript file without author identification
  3. Submission forms, including the author declaration form, publication ethics statement, and copyright transfer form, as required by the journal
  4. Ethical approval documents for research involving human participants (if applicable)
  5. Documentation of research funding sources (if applicable)

 

  1. Article Submission and Publication Fees

The policy regarding submission and publication fees shall follow the official policy of the journal. For example:

  • The journal does not charge any fees for manuscript submission or publication.
  • If any fees are introduced in the future, the journal will announce the submission and publication fee policy on the official journal website.

14. Additional Recommendations for Authors   
      Before submitting a manuscript, authors should ensure that:

  • The title is clear and relevant to the main topic of the article.
  • The abstract is complete and accurately summarizes the content of the manuscript.
  • The keywords are appropriate and reflect the main themes of the article.
  • The manuscript has a clear and logical structure.
  • Spelling and grammar are accurate and carefully checked.
  • In-text citations and references in the reference list correspond accurately.
  • The Vancouver citation style is applied correctly and consistently.
  • All tables, figures, and charts are properly numbered and include clear source information.
  • Author-identifying information has been removed from the main manuscript file.
  • All required supporting documents have been attached during submission.

Note for Authors
The editorial board reserves the right to reject manuscripts that do not comply with the journal’s submission guidelines or fail to meet the required academic standards. Such manuscripts may be rejected without being sent for peer review by external reviewers.

15. Chicago Style Citation System
      The journal requires the use of the Chicago Style: Notes and Bibliography citation format. References within the text must be provided using footnotes, and a complete bibliography must be included at the end of the article.
     1) Footnote Citation
     References within the text must be provided using footnotes. A superscript number should be placed at the end of the relevant sentence or passage, and the full citation details should appear in the corresponding footnote at the bottom of the page.
     Examples
     Compassion is a central concept in Mahāyāna Buddhism.¹
     The transformation of Avalokiteśvara into Guanyin is one of the most significant developments in East Asian Buddhism.²
     2) Footnote Examples
     Book
          ¹ Peter Harvey, An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000), 45.
     Edited Book
          ² Donald S. Lopez Jr., ed., Critical Terms for the Study of Buddhism (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2005), 123.
     Chapter in an Edited Book
          ³ Chün-fang Yu, “Guanyin: The Chinese Transformation of Avalokiteśvara,” in Religions of China in Practice, ed. Donald S. Lopez Jr. (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1996), 150–72.

     Journal Article  
          ⁴ L. Johnson, “Compassion and Embodiment in Contemporary Buddhist Practice,” Journal of Buddhist Ethics 29, no. 1 (2022): 45–68.

     Website  
          ⁵ Thai Journal Online, “About ThaiJO,” accessed March 6, 2026, https://...

     Buddhist Scripture  
          ⁶ The Lotus Sutra, trans. Gene Reeves (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2008), 112.

     3. Shortened Citation  
     When citing the same source again, a shortened citation format should be used.
     Example
          ⁷ Harvey, Introduction to Buddhist Ethics, 52.

16. Bibliography
      The bibliography must be placed at the end of the article and arranged alphabetically by the authors’ last names.
      In the bibliography, the author’s surname should be written first, followed by the given name.

     1) Books
     Format Author. Title of the Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year.
     Example Harvey, Peter. An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000.

     2) Edited Books
     Format Editor. ed. Title of the Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year.
     Example Lopez, Donald S., Jr., ed. Critical Terms for the Study of Buddhism. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2005.

     3) Chapter in an Edited Book  
     Format Author of the chapter. “Title of the Chapter.” In Title of the Book, edited by Editor, page range. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year.
     Example Yu, Chün-fang. “Guanyin: The Chinese Transformation of Avalokiteśvara.” In Religions of China in Practice, edited by Donald S. Lopez Jr., 150–72. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1996.

     4) Journal Articles  
     Format Author. “Title of the Article.” Journal Title Volume number, no. Issue number (Year): Page range.
     Example Johnson, L. “Compassion and Embodiment in Contemporary Buddhist Practice.” Journal of Buddhist Ethics 29, no. 1 (2022): 45–68.

     5) Online Articles  
     Format Author. “Title of the Article.” Journal Title. Year. URL.
     Example Chen, Y. “Reimagining Guanyin in Transnational Buddhist Networks.” Religions. 2023. https://...

     6) Theses and Dissertations 
     Format Author. “Title of the Thesis.” Type of thesis, University, Year.
     Example Wang, Li. “Gender Fluidity in Guanyin Devotion.” PhD diss., University of London, 2021.

     7) Buddhist Canonical Texts 
     Since articles in the journal may refer to Pāli, Sanskrit, or Chinese Buddhist scriptures, authors should provide
     complete bibliographic information, including:
          - Title of the scripture
          - Translator (if applicable)
          - Publisher
          - Year of publication
     Examples
          Reeves, Gene, trans. The Lotus Sutra. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2008.
         Conze, Edward, trans. Buddhist Wisdom Books: The Diamond Sutra and the Heart Sutra. London: George Allen & Unwin, 1958.

17. Pāli Canon Citation Format 
      When citing passages from the Pāli Canon, authors should specify the name of the text, the collection or section, and the reference number or page, according to internationally recognized scholarly conventions. Authors may also use standard abbreviations of canonical texts that are commonly accepted in Buddhist studies.

     1) Footnote Citation 
     Examples
          ¹ Dīgha Nikāya 16.5.
          ² Majjhima Nikāya 1.23.
          ³ Saṃyutta Nikāya 22.59.
          ⁴ Aṅguttara Nikāya 3.65.
     If citing from the Pali Text Society (PTS) edition, the reference should indicate the volume and page number.
     Example
          ⁵ Majjhima Nikāya, PTS ed., vol. 1, p. 134.

     2) Bibliography Examples
         Pali Text Society. The Dīgha Nikāya. London: Pali Text Society.
         Pali Text Society. The Majjhima Nikāya. London: Pali Text Society.
     3) Examples of English Translations of Canonical Texts
          Bodhi, Bhikkhu, trans. The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Saṃyutta Nikāya. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2000.
          Ñāṇamoli, Bhikkhu, and Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikāya. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1995.

18. Taishō Tripiṭaka Citation Format  
     The Taishō Tripiṭaka is the standard reference system for citing Chinese Buddhist canonical texts.
     The general citation format is:
          T + Text number + Volume number + Page number + Column letter
     Example structure:
          T[number]. [volume]: [page][column]
     The column letters are typically indicated as:
          a (first column)
          b (second column)
          c (third column)
     This format allows precise identification of passages within the Taishō Shinshū Daizōkyō, the modern critical edition of the Chinese Buddhist canon.

     1) Format  
          T + Text Number + Volume + Page + Column
     Examples
          ¹ T262, 9:56c
          ² T475, 14:542a
          ³ T251, 8:848b

     2) Explanation  
          T = Taishō Tripiṭaka
          First number = Text number in the Taishō canon
          Second number = Volume number
          Page number + a/b/c = Column reference on the page

     3) Example in a Footnote
          ¹ Lotus Sutra, T262, 9:56c.

     4) Example in the Bibliography 
         Taishō Shinshū Daizōkyō (大正新脩大藏經). Tokyo: Taishō Issaikyō Kankōkai, 1924–1934.

19. Chinese Buddhist Canon Citation Format
      If citing Chinese Buddhist texts from CBETA (Chinese Buddhist Electronic Text Association) or other digital Chinese Buddhist canonical databases, authors should specify the title of the scripture and the database source.

     1) Footnote Example 
         ¹ Guanyin Pusa Pumen Pin (觀音菩薩普門品), T262, CBETA.

     2) Bibliography Example   
         Chinese Buddhist Electronic Text Association (CBETA). Taishō Tripiṭaka Online. Taipei.

20. Format for Writing Pāli, Sanskrit, and Chinese Terms
      Since articles published in the journal may involve religious and technical terminology, authors should use standard transliteration systems when writing terms in Pāli, Sanskrit, or Chinese.

      1) Pāli Terms 
          Pāli terms should be written using Romanization with appropriate diacritical marks.
      Examples
          Dhamma
          Saṃsāra
          Karuṇā
          Bodhisatta
          Nibbāna
     Important Guidelines
          Use italics when the term first appears in the text.
          Provide a translation in parentheses when the term first appears.
     Example
          Karuṇā (compassion) is a central virtue in Buddhist ethics.

      2) Sanskrit Terms  
      Sanskrit terms should be written using IAST Romanization (International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration).
      Examples
           Avalokiteśvara
           Bodhisattva
           Prajñā
           Śūnyatā

      3) Chinese Terms
      When referring to Chinese terms, authors should use Pinyin romanization followed by the Chinese characters.
      Example Guanyin (觀音)
      Example in a sentence  Avalokiteśvara is known in Chinese as Guanyin (觀音).

      4) Writing the Name “Guanyin” in Articles
      The journal recommends using the following format:
      First occurrence: Guanyin (Avalokiteśvara; 觀音)
      Subsequent occurrences: Guanyin 

      5) Example of Usage in an Article  
      Guanyin (觀音), the Chinese manifestation of Avalokiteśvara, represents the embodiment of karuṇā (compassion) in East Asian Buddhism.

      6) Note for Authors
      Authors should apply a consistent citation system for canonical texts throughout the entire article. It is recommended that authors primarily use one standard citation system, such as:
           - Pāli Canon citation
           - Taishō citation
           - CBETA citation
      Using a single citation system consistently will ensure clarity and academic standardization in the manuscript.

21. Examples of Reference List Format at the End of the Article (References / Bibliography)
The reference list should be placed at the end of the article and arranged alphabetically by the authors’ last names. For clarity, references may be grouped by type of source, as illustrated in the following examples.

      1) Books
      Harvey, Peter. An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics: Foundations, Values and Issues. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000.
      Keown, Damien. Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013.
      Lopez, Donald S., Jr., ed. Critical Terms for the Study of Buddhism. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2005.
      Yu, Chün-fang. Kuan-yin: The Chinese Transformation of Avalokiteśvara. New York: Columbia University Press, 2001.

      2) Chapters in Edited Books
      Yu, Chün-fang. “Guanyin: The Chinese Transformation of Avalokiteśvara.” In Religions of China in Practice, edited by Donald S. Lopez Jr., 150–72. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1996.
      Teiser, Stephen F. “The Cult of Avalokiteśvara.” In The Wiley Blackwell Companion to East and Inner Asian Buddhism, edited by Mario Poceski, 215–32. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2014.

      3) Journal Articles
      Johnson, L. “Compassion and Embodiment in Contemporary Buddhist Practice.” Journal of Buddhist Ethics 29, no. 1 (2022): 45–68.
      Chen, Y. “Reimagining Guanyin in Transnational Buddhist Networks.” Religions 14, no. 2 (2023): 115–29.
      Numrich, Paul D. “Engaged Buddhism in the West.” Buddhist-Christian Studies 21 (2001): 57–72.

      4) Theses and Dissertations
      Wang, Li. “Gender Fluidity in Guanyin Devotion.” PhD diss., University of London, 2021.
      Chen, Mei-ling. “Avalokiteśvara Worship in Medieval China.” Master’s thesis, National Taiwan University, 2018.

      5) Conference Papers
      Brown, David. “Compassion and Social Engagement in Contemporary Buddhism.” Paper presented at the International Association of Buddhist Studies Conference, Seoul, South Korea, 2018.

      6) Websites / Online Sources
      Thai Journal Online. “About ThaiJO.” Accessed March 6, 2026. https://www.tci-thaijo.org.
      Chinese Buddhist Electronic Text Association (CBETA). “Chinese Buddhist Canon Database.” Accessed March 6, 2026. https://www.cbeta.org.

      7) Buddhist Scriptures
      Bodhi, Bhikkhu, trans. The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Saṃyutta Nikāya. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2000.
      Ñāṇamoli, Bhikkhu, and Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikāya. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1995.
      Reeves, Gene, trans. The Lotus Sutra. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2008.
      Conze, Edward, trans. Buddhist Wisdom Books: The Diamond Sutra and the Heart Sutra. London: George Allen & Unwin, 1958.

      8) Pāli Canon
      Bodhi, Bhikkhu, trans. The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Saṃyutta Nikāya. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2000.
      Ñāṇamoli, Bhikkhu, and Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikāya. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1995.
      Walshe, Maurice, trans. The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Dīgha Nikāya. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1995.
      Bodhi, Bhikkhu, trans. The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Aṅguttara Nikāya. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2012.
      Pali Text Society. The Dīgha Nikāya. London: Pali Text Society.
      Pali Text Society. The Majjhima Nikāya. London: Pali Text Society.

      9) Major Mahāyāna Scriptures  
      Conze, Edward, trans. Buddhist Wisdom Books: The Diamond Sutra and the Heart Sutra. London: George Allen & Unwin, 1958.
      Lopez, Donald S., Jr. The Heart Sutra Explained: Indian and Tibetan Commentaries. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1988.
      Reeves, Gene, trans. The Lotus Sutra. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2008.
      Watson, Burton, trans. The Lotus Sutra. New York: Columbia University Press, 1993.
      Thurman, Robert A. F., trans. The Holy Teaching of Vimalakīrti: A Mahāyāna Scripture. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1976.

      10) Taishō Tripiṭaka
      Taishō Shinshū Daizōkyō (大正新脩大藏經). Edited by Takakusu Junjirō and Watanabe Kaigyoku. Tokyo: Taishō Issaikyō Kankōkai, 1924–1934.
      The Lotus Sutra (妙法蓮華經), T262, in Taishō Shinshū Daizōkyō, vol. 9.
      Prajñāpāramitā-hṛdaya Sūtra (般若心經), T251, in Taishō Shinshū Daizōkyō, vol. 8.

      11) Chinese Buddhist Canon / CBETA  
      Chinese Buddhist Electronic Text Association (CBETA). Chinese Buddhist Electronic Text Association Database. Taipei: CBETA Foundation. https://www.cbeta.org
      Chinese Buddhist Electronic Text Association (CBETA). Taishō Tripiṭaka Online. Taipei.