p. 287

            The Karma  of Words will undoubtedly  stand as an
        original  and  significant   study  of  the  multiple
        historical   and   conceptual   connections   between
        Japanese literature  and Buddhist thought.  Professor
        LaFleur    attempts    inventively    to    construct
        methodological bridges across terrain long overlooked
        in a field  somewhat  plagued  by overspecialization,
        without sacrificing  familiarity  with or sensitivity
        to   either   philosophical/religious   or   literary
        perspectives  and  attitudes.  It was  in the  larger
        context of clarifying the difficulty  in establishing
        philosophical  dialogue between seemingly  dispartate
        traditions that my comments were made concerning some
        aspects of the work's internal continuity  as well as
        its approach to certain Buddhist themes.  I hope that
        the creative  accomplishments  of The Karma  of Words
        are neither diminished nor concealed by this critical
        discussion.