法苑珠林 41.20

41.20

The northern direction refers to spiritual friends (kalyāṇamitra). If there is a person who can make offerings to spiritual friends, giving to them according to one's ability, with respect, gentle words, bowing, and praising, this person is able to make offerings to the northern direction of spiritual friends. These spiritual friends in return repay them with four matters: first, instructing them to cultivate good dharmas; second, causing them to depart from bad dharmas; third, when there is terror, being able to rescue and relieve them; fourth, at times of heedlessness, being able to make them abandon it.