法苑珠林 23.28

23.28

又叔迦經中說。叔迦婆羅門子白佛言。在家白衣能修福德善根勝出家者。是事云何。佛言。我於此中不定答。出家或有不修善根。則不如在家。在家能修則勝出家。

Furthermore, it is said in the Śuka Sūtra: 'Śuka, the son of a brāhmaṇa, addressed the Buddha, saying: "Can white-robed householders cultivate merit and roots of goodness superior to those who have left household life? How is this matter?" The Buddha said: "I do not give a definite answer to this. Some who have left household life do not cultivate roots of goodness, and thus are not as good as householders. Householders who are able to cultivate are superior to those who have left household life."'”