These may have been shaven Buddhist monks. Similar patterns may be seen today with regard to the Sikhs. At best, the Sikh may be an individual seeker for escape from the world or mukti in which case Khalsa is interpreted as pure Khalis. The present attacks on the Sikh faith shed light on the elimination of Buddhism from Indian soil, and equally the history of Buddhism provides a warning to Sikhs about the techniques which may be marshalled against them. There may be even more not so obvious parallels.
Word is also the philosopher s stone, and also the sangat or fellowship.
In the sangat one comes to realise the nine jewels of meditation. The image of the wind horse is printed on prayer flags which as the wind blows sets the horse in motion carrying prayers for happiness and good fortune to the ten directions. It is interesting in this connection that Guru Gobind Singh is depicted in iconography riding a blue horse, with a white hawk on his arm. One difference between Gurmat and Buddhism is the clear monotheism of the Gurus as against the agnosticism or even atheism of some proponents of the Dhamma. All the Buddhas created by Thee, proclaim Thee.