Final answer:
The Tripitaka is the collection of Buddhist scriptures central to both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, serving as a guide to enlightenment and Buddhist practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Tripitaka is B. The collection of Buddhist scriptures. It plays a crucial role in Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism as the primary textual foundation of Buddhist thought and practice. In Theravada Buddhism, which is dominant in Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka, the Tripitaka is regarded as the most authoritative record of the Buddha's words. Following the Buddha's original teachings, Theravada Buddhists view the Tripitaka as a guide to enlightenment, with a focus on meditation and concentration.
In contrast, Mahayana Buddhism, prevalent in East Asian countries like Japan, Korea, and China, interprets the Tripitaka in the context of their broader canon which includes additional texts deemed to be of equal importance. While Mahayana Buddhists also see the Tripitaka as important, they rely on a wider array of scriptures to inform their practices, which emphasize universal compassion and altruism.
One example of the veneration of the Tripitaka is found in the statue of Tongil Daebul, which holds within it the original texts of the Tripitaka, symbolizing their central place in the Buddhist faith.