法苑珠林 23.28

23.28

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."'”