Jul-tak-dong-si (啐啄同時)

Jul-tak-dong-si (啐啄同時) is a four-character idiom meaning that "a chick pecking at the shell from the inside (jul, 啐) to come out of the egg" and "the mother hen hears the sound and pecking at the shell from the outside (tak, 啄)" must happen at the same time for the chick to come out completely into the world.

 

This saying originated from the Seon Buddhism Zen question and answer book 『Byeok-am-rok』 and does not simply refer to a phenomenon, but contains a profound meaning that for something to be successful, the efforts of the inside and outside, the subject and the helper, must happen at the right time and at the same time. Metaphorical meaning and usage

 

• In relationships such as between teachers and students, parents and children, mentors and mentees, and superiors and subordinates, it is difficult to achieve true growth or achievement with only one side's unilateral effort, and great results can only be achieved when appropriate timing, response, and cooperation occur simultaneously.

 

• For example, it suggests that teachers should provide appropriate guidance when students try to gain enlightenment on their own, and that parents should wait until their children develop the strength to grow on their own and help only when necessary, which is true education.

 

• If a mother hen breaks the shell before her chicks are ready, the chicks will not grow properly, and conversely, if there is no help from the mother hen at all, it will be difficult for the chicks to break out of the egg, emphasizing the importance of appropriate timing and cooperation from both sides.

 

Examples from real life

 

• Education is effective when the student's will to learn and the teacher's sincere teaching occur simultaneously.

• When the passion of employees and the support of superiors occur at the same time in a company, the organization grows.

• In society, change and development are possible when the efforts of each other are intertwined.

The term “Jultakdongsi” symbolizes the importance of cooperation, timing, and interaction, and can be applied to various human relationships and social phenomena.