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The Essenes and Other Sects of Judaism
In Egypt and Palestine, sometime before the advent of Christ, there had come into existence a community of ascetics known as the Essenes. 10 The Essenes can be understood in light of the Indian concept of a forest dweller, although the Essenes dwelt in desert lands near the Dead Sea. The term may have derived from a word that means holy, pious, or one who is silent. The Essenes are said to have set themselves apart from the commonly accepted religious boundaries of Jewish tradition. They saw the path of nonviolence as the correct way, and accordingly practiced vegetarianism. They were very disciplined in their daily activities, and worked hard for their sustenance. They lived communally and freely shared all food and material possessions. After performing their work, the Essenes spent their time in meditation and other spiritual practices which sought union with God. In these ways, the lifestyle of this sect was similar to the followers of the Buddha. Their written records indicate a belief in the immortality of the soul and the karmic principle.
During this same time period before Jesus many great scholars and social reformers were born in Palestine and Egypt. They studied the philosophical and spiritual texts of China, India,
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