William R. LaFleur

William R. LaFleur (1936-2010) was the E. Dale Saunders Professor in Japanese Studies at the University of Pennsylvania and author of The Karma of Words: Buddhism and the Literary Arts in Medieval Japan (University of California Press, 1986) and Liquid Life: Abortion and Buddhism in Japan (Princeton, 1992).

IdeasMagazine | Feature

Dear Pope John Paul

In an open letter, William R. Lafleur, professor of Japanese Studies, criticizes the Roman Catholic Church for its stand against contraception and implores the pope to reconsider the Vatican's position in light of Buddhist ethics.

By William R. LaFleur

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