| Zhidun | |
| Native Name Lang: | zh |
| Religion: | Buddhism |
| Dharma Names: | Zhidun |
| Nationality: | Chinese |
| Birth Date: | 314 |
| Birth Place: | Kaifeng, Western Jin |
| Death Place: | Kuaiji Commandery, Eastern Jin |
Zhi Dun (; 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]