Hi Russell You make some interesting points, and I would be pleased to hear of any spiritual or esoteric teachings that may apply to both groups.
Thus far, many of the books I have read seem to be full of references to Rosslyn and how the masonic teachings (I'm not sure to what teachings are being referred to here) came from the East.
Well of course, all learning originally came from the East, as that was where man first chose to record his activities.
Much reference is made to certain carvings of a man in a blindfold, wearing an apron with his hand on a book. I think it was Lomas and knight that suggested this was a masonic initiation.
However, as far as my understanding goes, the book could not have been a bible as they were not available till a century or so after the statue was carved. It may have been a book of constitutions which every operative mason apprentice (and all apprentices of any trade come to that) was expected to take his oath upon. That was common practice during these times and a requirement by law, certainly in England at the time, and I guess later, the Schaw Statutes would have required the same.
As for the apron, this also was the garb of an operative mason so there's nothing new there.
As for the hoodwink, I've yet to research, least to say that in any of the old lodge minutes (pre 1717) and old MS charges I've read, there is no reference to being hoodwinked.
Personally looking at the carving, and in line with all the out carvings that can be seen, I would hazard a guess to say that it was a carving of a young apprentice being taken into the trade.
Of course, it could always be the young apprentice that carved the apprentice pillar, you know the one that out shone his master, so master killed him, but thats purely guess work.
Many thanks for your input into this thread.