Zen Buddhism, and Its Relation to Art

"Zen Buddhism, and Its Relation to Art" by Arthur Waley is a study from the 1920s that looks at how Zen Buddhism started and the big impact it had on art. It explains Zen's history and breaks down how it connects to both Buddhist ideas and art. The book follows Zen Buddhism from when it started with Bodhidharma in the 6th century, going through its different groups and lessons. It shines a light on Zen's core beliefs, like how experience matters more than books or rules, and how this shows up in East Asian art. Zen comes across as a way to find understanding and connect with both yourself and the world. Waley brings to light the fact that Zen art shows what the artist thinks and feels, linking Zen beliefs to the art they make.