also: ひゃくしゃくかんとう
the highest state of enlightenment; the pinnacle of attainment
A yojijukugo from Zen Buddhism, often used metaphorically for reaching the ultimate level in any endeavor. The literal image is 'the tip of a hundred-foot pole,' suggesting a state beyond which one must still step forward.
After years of training, he finally reached the highest state of enlightenment.
百尺竿頭に一歩を進める覚悟が必要だ。
One must be prepared to take a step forward even from the pinnacle of attainment.
A longer expression that explicitly adds 'take one step forward,' emphasizing the need to go beyond even the highest level.
Standard kanji form; the reading ひゃくせきかんとう is the most common.
Alternate reading; less common but still encountered.
From a Zen Buddhist saying: 'At the tip of a hundred-foot pole, take one more step.' The phrase uses 百尺 (hundred shaku) to symbolize a great height, and 竿頭 (tip of a pole) to represent the utmost limit.