法苑珠林 30.38

30.38

The Buddha said, "Good son, within my Buddha-Dharma there are also six directions, namely, the six pāramitās. The eastern direction is dāna. Why? Because it emerges first, serving as the cause and condition for bringing forth the light of wisdom. That eastern direction belongs to the minds of sentient beings. If there are sentient beings who are able to make offerings to that dāna, then they will increase their life and wealth. The southern direction is śīla. Why? Śīla is called the right side. If a person makes offerings [to it], they will also obtain an increase in life and wealth. The western direction is kṣānti. Why? That western direction is called the behind, because all bad phenomena are cast behind. If one makes offerings [to it], then one will obtain an increase in life and wealth. The northern direction is vīrya. Why? The title of the northern direction is 'superior to all bad phenomena.' If a person makes offerings [to it], they will also obtain an increase in life and wealth. The nadir is dhyāna-concentration. Why? Because it can properly observe the three bad destinies. If a person makes offerings [to it], they will also obtain an increase in life and wealth. The zenith is prajñā. Why? The zenith is the unsurpassable; because it is unsurpassable, if one makes offerings [to it], one will obtain an increase in life and wealth. Good son, these six directions belong to the minds of sentient beings, and are not like what the six non-Buddhist teachers say. Who is able to make offerings to such six directions? Good son, only bodhisattvas are able to make offerings [to them]."