The relationship of Zen to the arts is well documented in
history. Many of the famous Zen masters of the past have been
artists, poets and musicians. Master Dogen was a talented poet
and an unusual master of prose, particularly of the essay, in
which he freely improvised with traditional formats and used
language in fresh, creative ways. Hakuin springs to mind, with
his fertile imagination expressed in calligraphy and painting as
well as the creative use of the koan, including invention of the
famous “What is the sound of one hand?” My background and
training is in the arts, and I grew up in a musical family. But
in my view, Zen is not simply related to the activities
associated with creativity, such as the performing and plastic
arts. The central connection has to do with creativity itself. I
think that Zen represents the apex and most direct and intimate
application of the creative mind. Creativity, after all, is not
contained in or limited to one’s activities. If it were, some
activities would be innately