【Historical Allusion】
During the Song Dynasty, there was a highly learned monk in Changsha named Jingcen, also known as Master Zhaoxian. He possessed profound knowledge of Buddhist teachings and frequently traveled to various places to preach and lecture. The master's explanations were thorough yet accessible, delivered in an engaging and captivating manner, deeply moving all who listened.
One day, Master Zhaoxian was invited to a Buddhist temple to give a lecture. Although many monks came to listen, the lecture hall was silent except for the master's voice. After finishing his lecture, a monk stood up, bowed to the master, and then asked several questions, requesting answers. The master returned the bow and slowly responded. When the monk encountered parts he didn't understand, he asked further questions. Thus, the two engaged in a natural and warm question-and-answer session. They discussed the highest realm of Buddhism—the concept of the Ten Directions. To illustrate what the Ten Directions truly meant, Master Zhaoxian immediately produced a verse tablet. A verse tablet is a Buddhist text that records chants. The master pointed to a passage on the tablet and recited: "One who stands motionless at the top of a hundred-zhang pole has not yet attained true enlightenment. Even at the top of the hundred-zhang pole, one must still advance further; the entire Ten Directions is the true body." This means: reaching the top of a hundred-zhang pole is not high enough; one must still take another step forward, for the Ten Directions represent the ultimate peak.
【Growth Insight】
Lu Xun said: "Dissatisfaction is the wheel of progress." One's greatest opponent is not others, but oneself. Only by surpassing oneself can one achieve true progress and success. "Dissatisfaction" is a hope, a pursuit, and an aspiration for beautiful things. Only by never being satisfied can humanity advance from lower to higher stages, escape the hardships of primitive society—living in caves and huts, clad in leaves and animal skins—and evolve from ancient stone tools to today's electronic technology and space exploration. Even when one has reached the "hundred-foot pole," one must still "advance further" to maintain dissatisfaction and progress.