In the following video (sorry it is in the Sinhala language. I gave the link to cite the source and for the benefit of Sri Lankan friends) Ven Anandasiri says that there is a difference between the Bhikkhu and the Sangha. He equates even people like Jesus Christ or Mohamed to be Sangha. In his interpretation, a Bhikkhu is in the path. (not necessarily the full path) the Sangha is the Ariya Sangha.
He also argues that it is possible to have Sangha outside Buddha’s dispensation.
