Which of the following texts is regarded as the primary sacred canon of the Buddhists?

Introduction / Context:
This question belongs to the comparative study of Indian religions. It asks you to identify the main sacred canon of Buddhism, which is important for understanding how Buddhist teachings were preserved. Knowing which scriptures belong to which religion helps avoid confusion between Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on the sacred book of the Buddhists.
• Options mention Upanishads, Vedas, Tripitaka and Agamas.
• We assume basic awareness of which texts belong to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.
• We are looking for the canonical collection of Buddha's teachings.

Concept / Approach:
In Buddhism, the traditional canon is called the Tripitaka (in Pali, Tipitaka), meaning “three baskets”. These three baskets are the Vinaya Pitaka (discipline for monks and nuns), Sutta or Sutra Pitaka (discourses of the Buddha) and Abhidhamma or Abhidharma Pitaka (philosophical and psychological analysis). Together they form the core scriptural base for many Buddhist schools, especially in the Theravada tradition. By contrast, the Vedas and Upanishads are central to Hinduism, and the Agamas in the option list refer to Jain canons, not Buddhist ones.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the main Buddhist scripture collection is grouped into three parts called the Tripitaka.Step 2: Recognise that the Vedas and Upanishads belong to the Hindu religious tradition.Step 3: Note that the term Agamas in this context usually refers to Jain scriptures, not to the Buddhist canon.Step 4: Compare the options and select the one that clearly names the Tripitaka or Tipitaka as the Buddhist canon.

Verification / Alternative check:
Introductory books on world religions and Indian religious history clearly state that the Tripitaka is the traditional Buddhist canon. They list the three baskets and briefly describe their contents. Exam-oriented GK books repeat this fact in one-line summaries such as “Sacred book of Buddhists – Tripitaka”, which confirms option c as the expected answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The Upanishads: Philosophical texts attached to the Vedas, central to Hindu Vedanta thought, not to Buddhist scripture.The Vedas: The oldest and most authoritative scriptures of Hinduism, not the canon of Buddhism.The Agamas of Jainism: These are associated with Jain teachings, not with the Buddha and his disciples.

Common Pitfalls:
Because all these terms appear frequently in discussions of Indian religions, students may mix them up under exam pressure. A helpful memory trick is to link each tradition with a key word: Veda and Upanishad with Hinduism, Tripitaka with Buddhism, and Jain Agamas with Jainism. This simple mapping prevents confusion when facing similar multiple-choice questions.

Final Answer:
The primary sacred canon of the Buddhists is the Tripitaka (Tipitaka).