Explanation

During the post-Mauryan and Kushana period, Mahayana Buddhism (The Great Vehicle) consolidated several theological innovations distinct from early Theravada tradition:

– 1. Deification of the Buddha: Rather than regarding Gautama solely as an enlightened mortal teacher, Mahayana exalted the Buddha into an eternal, omnipotent divine savior possessed of cosmic bodies (Trikaya doctrine).
– 2. Path of the Bodhisattvas: Centralized the ideal of the Bodhisattva—compassionate beings who cultivate transcendent virtues (paramitas) and voluntarily postpone their own Nirvana to liberate all sentient beings.
– 3. Image worship and rituals: Pioneered extensive anthropomorphic stone idol representations of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas (in the Gandhara and Mathura art schools) along with ritualistic devotional offerings (puja).

Hence, all three are defining features of Mahayana Buddhism — Option D.