Dear Colleague,
The answer might lie in the emergence of the kaaya theory along with the concept of the docetic (nirmaa.nakaaya)Buddha among the Maahaasaa.nghikas.
Could you consult the Journal of research, Visva Bharati, vol.i, part 1, 1976-77: 41ff. I made some preliminary observations on the emergence oif the kaaya concept. It seems that the concept of a Buddha which is not the historical one should have originated among the Maahaasaa.nghikas.
Best
DB



On Tue, Jan 21, 2014 at 4:07 PM, James Hegarty <hegartyjm@googlemail.com> wrote:
Dear Colleagues,

Can anyone advise me as to how common visualisation of the Buddha or Guru is in Buddhist meditative practice?

Can anyone also suggest the period in which such practices were likely to have developed? It is not something I associate with Pali sources (but I am no Buddhologist).

I am particularly interested in materials that are likely to date to the first millennium of the common era.

If there are any striking examples of this practice in other early Indian religious traditions, I would also be grateful to hear of them.

With Thanks and Best Wishes,

James Hegarty
Cardiff University
UK


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