Tripitaka are the religious texts of _________.

Correct option is B

The correct answer is (b) Buddhists

Explanation:

The Tripitaka, also known as Tipitaka in Pali, are the sacred scriptures of Buddhism. The word Tripitaka literally means "Three Baskets", referring to the three divisions of the text:

1. Vinaya Pitaka – Rules and regulations for monastic life.
2. Sutta Pitaka – Discourses and teachings of the Buddha.
3. Abhidhamma Pitaka – Philosophical and psychological analysis of Buddhist doctrines.

These texts form the canonical literature of Theravāda Buddhism, the oldest surviving Buddhist school.

Information Booster:

• The Tripitaka was written in Pali and preserved in Sri Lanka by Theravāda Buddhists.
• It was compiled in the First Buddhist Council held shortly after the Buddha's death.
• It remains central to Buddhist teaching and monastic discipline.

Buddhist Literature

• One of India’s earliest organized literatures.
• Initially composed in Pali by monks, focused on Buddha’s teachings, monastic life, and moral values.
• Two main types: Canonical (Tripitakas) and Non-Canonical literature.

Canonical Literature – The Tripitakas (Three Baskets)

1. Sutta Pitaka – Buddha’s discourses

• Digha Nikaya – Long discourses
• Majjhima Nikaya – Middle-length sermons
• Samyutta Nikaya – Thematic groupings
• Anguttara Nikaya – Numerical teachings
• Khuddaka Nikaya – Miscellaneous (includes Theragatha, Therigatha)

2. Vinaya Pitaka – Monastic rules

• Suttavibhanga – Rules of discipline
• Khandhaka – Monastic procedures
• Parivara – Summary of rules

3. Abhidhamma Pitaka – Philosophy and psychology

• Dhammasangani, Dhatukatha, Vibhanga, Puggalapannatti, Kathavatthu, Yamaka, Patthana

Non-Canonical Literature

• Jatakas – Stories of Buddha’s past lives; moral lessons
• Milinda Panha – Dialogues between Nagasena & King Menander
• Dipavamsa – First chronicle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka
• Mahavamsa – Detailed history of Sri Lankan kings and Buddhism
• Buddha Charita – Sanskrit epic on Buddha’s life by Ashvaghosha

Sanskrit Texts & Key Authors

By Ashvaghosha

• Buddha Charita – Epic on Buddha’s life
• Saundarananda – Story of Buddha’s half-brother
• Sutralankar, Sariputra Prakaran, Vajra Suchi – Philosophical & doctrinal texts

By Buddhaghosha

• Visuddhimagga – Summary of Theravada practices
• Sumangalvasini, Atthakathayen – Commentaries on Vinaya & Jataka

By Nagarjuna (Mahayana Philosopher)

• Madhyamika Karika – Emptiness and middle path philosophy
• Prajnaparamita Karika – Transcendental wisdom

Others

• Lalitavistara Sutra – Buddha’s life story
• Mahayanasamgraha – Summary of Mahayana doctrines
• Abhidharma-samuccaya – Mahayana Abhidhamma concepts
• Mahavibhasa Shastra – Vaibhasika school encyclopedia