Zhi Dun

Chinese Buddhist philosopher (314–366)

Zhishan Temple (支山寺)
Lingjia Temple (霊嘉寺)
Qiguang Temple (棲光寺)

Zhi Dun (Chinese: 支遁; 314–366) was a Chinese Buddhist monk and philosopher. A Chinese author, scholar and confidant of Chinese government officials in 350, he claimed that all who followed Buddhism would, at the end of their life, enter Nirvana.^[1]

In A Short History of Chinese Philosophy, Feng Youlan recounts a story from the Shishuo Xinyu regarding Zhi Dun's fondness for cranes:

"Once a friend gave him two young [cranes]. When they grew up, Chih-tun was forced to clip their wings so that they would not fly away. When this was done, the cranes looked despondent, and Chih-tun too was depressed, and said: "Since they have wings that can reach the sky, how can they be content to be a pet of man?" Hence when their feathers had grown again, he let the cranes fly away."^[2]

References

^ Berkowitz, Alan J. (2000). Patterns of Disengagement: The Practice and Portrayal of Reclusion in Early Medieval China. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. p. 143. ISBN 9780804736039. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
^ Fung, Yu-lan (1966). A Short History of Chinese Philosophy. New York, N.Y.: Free Press-MacMillan Publishing Co., Inc. pp. 236–237.