Three Teachings Studies: Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism (TTS) welcomes original scholarly contributions examining the intellectual traditions, religious practices, historical development, and cultural expressions of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. The journal encourages rigorous research addressing individual traditions as well as their interactions, comparisons, and transformations across East Asia and other historically or intellectually relevant contexts. Manuscripts are accepted in English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese. All manuscripts must be submitted electronically through the journal's official online submission system. Before submission, authors should review the requirements concerning article categories, manuscript preparation, citation style, originality, peer review, and publication ethics outlined below.

Aims and Eligibility of Submissions

TTS considers scholarly manuscripts that make a clear and substantiated contribution to the study of Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, or related intellectual, religious, and cultural developments. Contributions may address a single tradition or engage with multiple traditions through comparative, historical, philosophical, textual, ethnographic, or interdisciplinary approaches.

The journal welcomes research involving classical texts, philosophical arguments, historical records, religious institutions, ritual practices, material culture, music, ethical cultivation, intellectual genealogies, and regional or transregional interaction. Submissions should identify a meaningful scholarly question, engage with appropriate sources and existing research, and explain their contribution to academic knowledge.

Authors are not required to address all three traditions within a single manuscript. Research concentrating on one tradition is welcome when its subject and scholarly contribution fall within the journal's scope. For further information, authors should consult the journal's Aims & Scope.

Submission Categories and Manuscript Lengths

Authors should select the submission category that best corresponds to the content, purpose, and scholarly format of their manuscript.

The editorial office may request adjustments to manuscript length, organization, or documentation where necessary for scholarly evaluation or publication. Authors proposing contributions with unusual formats or substantial documentary materials may contact the editorial office to clarify their suitability before submission.

Manuscript Preparation Requirements

TTS follows a flexible manuscript preparation policy. Authors are not required to use a prescribed manuscript template or a standardized page layout. Fonts, margins, paragraph spacing, and section organization may follow the scholarly conventions appropriate to the manuscript, provided that the document is readable and suitable for academic evaluation.

The following requirements apply to manuscript preparation:

• Manuscript File: Submit the main manuscript as a Microsoft Word document in .doc or .docx format.
• Title: Provide an accurate and informative manuscript title. Submissions written in languages other than English must also provide an English title.
• Abstract: Provide an English abstract of up to 300 words for general scholarly contributions. For Book Reviews and Forum Contributions, the English abstract must not exceed 150 words.
• Keywords: Provide 5–7 keywords accurately reflecting the manuscript's subject, principal concepts, and relevant research areas.
• Main Text: Present a coherent scholarly argument supported by relevant evidence, research literature, source documentation, and appropriate analytical discussion.
• Notes and Bibliography: Format all citations, notes, and bibliographic references according to the mandatory Chicago Notes and Bibliography system.
• Primary Sources: Identify relevant editions, manuscripts, archival collections, canonical references, and other documentary materials sufficiently for scholarly verification.
• Figures and Tables: Clearly label figures, tables, images, diagrams, musical examples, and supplementary materials. Provide appropriate source acknowledgment and necessary permissions.
• Author Biography: Prepare a brief academic biography of 100–150 words, including relevant academic background, research interests, and institutional affiliation where applicable. Identifying information must be supplied separately from manuscripts prepared for double-blind review.

The absence of a mandatory manuscript template does not remove the requirement to follow the journal's citation, metadata, documentation, originality, and ethical standards. Additional guidance is available in the Manuscript Formatting Guidelines.

Mandatory Citation Style: Chicago Notes and Bibliography

All scholarly submissions to TTS must follow The Chicago Manual of Style, using the Notes and Bibliography system. This requirement applies to citations, explanatory notes, source documentation, and bibliographic references.

Required Citation System: Chicago Notes and Bibliography.
Not Accepted as Alternatives: Chicago Author–Date, APA, MLA, Harvard, or other citation systems.
Manuscript Layout: Flexible; no mandatory journal template.

Authors should observe the following practices:

• Footnotes: Research Articles, Review Articles, and general scholarly contributions should ordinarily use footnotes for citations and explanatory notes.
• Endnotes: Translation and Annotation and Documents and Textual Notes should ordinarily use endnotes where appropriate to the presentation of textual commentary and documentary annotations.
• Bibliography: Provide a complete and consistently formatted bibliography of cited scholarly materials in accordance with Chicago Notes and Bibliography conventions.
• Classical and Canonical Sources: Include established textual identifiers, source editions, chapter or fascicle numbers, canonical references, and other relevant information where necessary.
• Reference Accuracy: Verify authors' names, publication details, dates, page numbers, editions, translations, and digital identifiers before submission.

Manuscripts using an incompatible citation system may be returned for correction before further editorial processing. For detailed examples and guidance, consult the journal's Manuscript Formatting Guidelines and the official Chicago Manual of Style.

Accepted Languages and Original-Language Materials

TTS accepts manuscripts in English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese. Manuscripts submitted in languages other than English must include an English title and abstract to support international scholarly communication and accurate publication metadata.

The journal recognizes the importance of original-language materials for research involving East Asian intellectual and religious traditions. Authors may retain classical Chinese characters, Japanese writing systems, Korean Hangul, Vietnamese historical scripts, and other appropriate original-language expressions where they are necessary for accurate textual interpretation.

Romanization is optional unless required for clarity, source identification, or scholarly analysis. Where romanization is employed, authors should use an appropriate recognized system consistently and explain specialized conventions when necessary.

Authors working with translations, critical editions, historical manuscripts, or canonical texts should identify their sources and explain relevant textual or interpretive decisions where necessary. Multilingual citation practices must remain consistent with the journal's mandatory Chicago Notes and Bibliography requirements.

Double-Blind Review and Manuscript Anonymization

Research Articles submitted to TTS undergo double-blind peer review, ordinarily involving at least two independent external reviewers with relevant academic expertise.

Authors submitting manuscripts for double-blind review must prepare an anonymized review file. The following identifying information should be removed from the manuscript:

• Author names and institutional affiliations.
• Acknowledgments, funding statements, or project details that directly identify the authors, where they would compromise anonymity.
• Personal information embedded in document properties, comments, tracked changes, or file metadata.
• Unnecessary self-identifying language, while preserving legitimate citations to the authors' previously published work in an academically appropriate form.

Author names, affiliations, contact details, and other required identifying information must be provided separately through the journal's online submission system or in designated supporting materials where applicable.

The editorial office initially assesses manuscripts for suitability, scholarly quality, completeness, and compliance with publication requirements. Other submission categories may undergo editorial assessment or external specialist review according to their scholarly content. Further information is provided in the Peer Review Policy.

Publication Ethics and Academic Integrity

TTS requires all submissions to represent original, accurately documented, and ethically responsible scholarship. Manuscripts must not be simultaneously under consideration for publication by another journal or publisher.

Authors are responsible for ensuring:

• Originality: The manuscript makes a genuine scholarly contribution and does not reproduce another person's work without appropriate attribution.
• Research Integrity: Evidence, quotations, translations, citations, and research findings are accurately represented and have not been fabricated or deliberately falsified.
• Authorship: All listed authors have made appropriate scholarly contributions and have approved the manuscript and its submission.
• Previous Dissemination: Relevant preprints, theses, conference versions, related publications, or substantial overlapping materials are disclosed where they may affect originality or publication rights.
• Conflicts of Interest: Relevant financial, institutional, professional, or personal interests that could materially influence the research or its interpretation are disclosed.
• Research Ethics: Research involving interviews, observation, fieldwork, or living communities complies with applicable ethical requirements, including consent and confidentiality where relevant.
• Artificial Intelligence: Material use of AI-assisted tools in preparing or generating scholarly content is appropriately disclosed. Authors must independently verify all AI-assisted claims, quotations, translations, and bibliographic references.

Research integrity concerns are evaluated in accordance with the journal's publication ethics procedures. Authors should consult the Publication Ethics Policy and Author Ethical Responsibilities before submitting a manuscript.

Preliminary Similarity Screening

Authors are required to conduct a preliminary similarity check before submitting their manuscripts. The journal establishes a total similarity threshold below 15%, excluding references and bibliography.

Authors should carefully examine similarity reports and correct inappropriate textual overlap, inaccurate attribution, or other concerns before submission. Legitimate quotations, classical source passages, standardized terminology, and appropriately acknowledged materials should be evaluated in their scholarly context.

The editorial office conducts randomized similarity spot checks and targeted verification when concerns arise. A similarity score of 15% or higher may result in further assessment, a request for revision or explanation, or an editorial decision to decline the manuscript.

A similarity score is not, by itself, a finding of plagiarism. Manuscripts with scores below the threshold remain subject to all originality and research integrity requirements. Further information is available in the Plagiarism & Similarity Screening Policy.

Registration and Author Accounts

All manuscripts must be submitted through the journal's official online submission system. Authors who do not have an existing account may register directly through the journal's registration page. Ordinary author registration does not require a separate invitation from the editorial office.

New users should complete the registration form accurately and enable the Author role where prompted. Authors who already have an account should use their existing credentials rather than creating a duplicate account. Any identity verification or ORCID connection options presented by the system should be completed according to the applicable account instructions.

New Author Registration: Create an Author Account

Existing Author Login: Access the Journal's Online Submission System

Online Submission Procedure

Manuscripts must be submitted electronically through the journal's online submission system. Submission by email is not accepted under the journal's standard submission procedure.

Authors should complete the following steps:

1. Register or Log In: Create an Author account or access an existing account through the journal's online submission system.
2. Start a New Submission: Open the author dashboard and select the option to begin a new manuscript submission.
3. Select the Submission Category: Choose the relevant scholarly category corresponding to the manuscript's content and format.
4. Review Submission Requirements: Read and complete the applicable declarations concerning originality, ethical compliance, authorship, and other submission conditions.
5. Upload the Manuscript: Submit the manuscript in .doc or .docx format. Research Articles requiring double-blind review must be anonymized before upload.
6. Enter Manuscript Metadata: Provide the article title, English abstract, keywords, author names, affiliations, and other required bibliographic details. The English abstract entered into the system must correspond to the version included in the manuscript.
7. Provide Supporting Materials: Upload relevant supplementary files, separate author information, permissions, or research documentation where applicable.
8. Review and Confirm: Check the accuracy and completeness of files, metadata, and declarations before confirming the submission.

A manuscript is considered formally submitted only after the author has completed the submission procedure and received confirmation through the journal's online submission system. Incomplete or incorrectly prepared submissions may be returned for correction before editorial assessment.

Editorial Assessment and Submission Tracking

After submission, the editorial office conducts an initial assessment of the manuscript's suitability, completeness, originality, academic contribution, and compliance with the journal's submission requirements.

Manuscripts that meet the initial requirements may proceed to independent external peer review or another appropriate editorial evaluation process. Submissions that fall outside the journal's scope, contain significant unresolved deficiencies, or fail to meet essential publication requirements may be returned for correction or declined without external review.

Authors can use their accounts to monitor editorial progress, receive notifications, respond to editorial requests, and upload revised manuscripts when required. Editorial decisions and revision requests are ordinarily communicated through the journal's online submission system and its associated notification functions.

Authors should maintain accurate contact information and check their registered email accounts regularly. Revised manuscripts should be submitted through the designated revision process rather than sent as new submissions or ordinary email attachments.

Publication Process and Indicative Timeline

The journal aims to complete first-round peer review within approximately 8–12 weeks of initial submission where practicable. Actual review times may vary according to reviewer availability, manuscript complexity, and the need for additional specialist assessment.

Authors may be invited to submit minor or major revisions. More than one revision round may be required, and a request for revision does not guarantee acceptance. Formal acceptance is issued only after the responsible editor has determined that the manuscript satisfies the journal's applicable scholarly and ethical requirements.

Following acceptance, manuscripts ordinarily proceed through copyediting, typesetting, author proof review, and final publication preparation. The estimated period between formal acceptance and online publication is approximately 3–5 weeks, subject to completion of production and administrative requirements.

TTS follows an annual publication model with rolling online publication. The annual volume is finalized on December 30. Authors seeking consideration for the current year's volume are encouraged to submit before September 1, although this advisory date does not guarantee acceptance or publication within the same calendar year. For further details, consult the Publication Process & Timeline.

Article Processing Charges and Fee Waivers

TTS is an open-access scholarly journal. There are no manuscript submission fees or peer review fees.

The standard Article Processing Charge (APC) for accepted Research Articles is USD 350 per article. The charge applies only after the manuscript has completed the relevant editorial procedures and received formal acceptance.

Book Reviews and Forum Contributions are exempt from the standard APC. Certain invited contributions may also be exempt under the journal's policy. Authors submitting Review Articles, translations, textual notes, or other specialized contributions should confirm the applicable fee arrangements with the editorial office where necessary.

Partial or full APC waivers may be considered for eligible authors, including researchers without adequate publication funding, early-career scholars, and authors experiencing substantial financial constraints. Waiver requests are assessed individually following formal acceptance.

Editorial decisions are independent of publication charges and an author's ability to pay. For complete information on exemptions, payment arrangements, and financial assistance, consult the Article Processing Charges Policy.

Copyright and Open Access

Authors retain copyright in their original scholarly contributions and grant TTS the non-exclusive rights necessary for publication, distribution, and preservation.

Published scholarly articles are made available immediately under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), allowing sharing, redistribution, adaptation, and reuse in accordance with the license conditions.

Authors are responsible for securing necessary permissions for third-party materials included in their submissions and for identifying any content subject to separate rights or restrictions. Further information is provided in the Copyright & Licensing Policy and the Open Access Policy.

Pre-Submission Checklist

Before completing a submission, authors should ensure that the following requirements have been satisfied:

• The manuscript is relevant to the journal's aims and scope and contains an identifiable scholarly contribution.
• The appropriate submission category has been selected and the manuscript meets its applicable length requirements.
• The manuscript file is prepared in .doc or .docx format and is readable and complete.
• The English title, abstract, and 5–7 keywords are provided according to the journal's requirements.
• All citations, notes, and bibliographic references follow the mandatory Chicago Notes and Bibliography system.
• Relevant primary sources, translations, editions, archival materials, and documentary evidence are accurately identified.
• The manuscript has undergone a preliminary similarity check and complies with the journal's originality standards.
• All listed authors have approved the submission, and relevant ethical or conflict-of-interest disclosures have been prepared.
• The manuscript has been anonymized where double-blind peer review applies, with identifying information submitted separately.
• All necessary supplementary materials, source acknowledgments, and third-party permissions have been prepared.
• Submission metadata and author information entered into the journal's online submission system are accurate and complete.

Editorial Inquiries and Technical Assistance

Authors may contact the editorial office with questions concerning manuscript suitability, submission categories, scholarly requirements, account registration, access to the online submission system, or technical difficulties.

Three Teachings Studies Editorial Office
Publisher: Panorama Scholarly Group (PSG)
Email: [email protected]
Author Registration: Create an Account
Online Submission System: Access the Submission System

Please note: The editorial email address is provided for academic inquiries and administrative assistance. Formal manuscript submissions and revised files must be submitted through the journal's official online submission system, unless an alternative arrangement has been expressly authorized by the editorial office.