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Chinese Buddhist philosopher (314–366) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Zhidun | |
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支遁 | |
![]() The Monk Zhidun Admiring a Horse (1876, cropped) by Ren Yi | |
Personal | |
Born | 314 |
Died | 29 May 366 51–52) | (aged
Religion | Buddhism |
Nationality | Chinese |
Dharma names | Zhidun |
Organization | |
Temple |
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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]