四分律行事鈔資持記 3.924

3.924

三中。謂現通表異，顯己行業，恐成大妄，佛制不為；律論正文，有緣時許。《多論》：彼問沓婆羅漢為僧知事，何故常放光明，自顯功德？鈔引答文二意：初是不善，非教所開；如提婆現通，惑於闍王之類；二是開緣，即沓婆之事。為佛法者，顯其尊勝，使流通故；為眾生者，息彼嫌疑，令欣慕故。

In the third: this refers to displaying supernormal powers and manifesting the extraordinary to show one's own deeds and practice; fearing this would turn into a major falsehood, the Buddha prohibited doing it; yet in the primary texts of the Vinaya and treatises, it is permitted when there is a circumstance. The Sarvāstivāda Vinaya Vibhāṣā asks: 'Why did the arhat Dabba, acting as the distributor of monastic affairs for the Saṅgha, constantly emit light to show his own merits?' The manual cites two intentions of the reply: first, it is unwholesome and not permitted by the teaching, like Devadatta manifesting supernormal powers to bewitch King Ajātaśatru and his kind; second, it is an occasion of exception, namely the matter of Dabba. Doing it for the Buddhadharma is to manifest its supreme excellence to circulate it; doing it for sentient beings is to put an end to their suspicion and disdain and cause them to feel joyful admiration.