Mark wrote:

[ I'm not sure it's correct that Essenes advocate a raw vegan diet.
The
[ "milk of beasts" is deemed acceptable in The Essene Gospel of Peace,
as
[ well as honey.  Certainly raw vegan foods are given a large emphasis
by
[ many modern Essenes.  I believe it is generally accepted that the
ancient
[ Essenes were vegetarians, but I don't think a lot of specifics are
known.
[ Nor are any specifics known about their esoteric tenets and rituals.
[ The modern Essene movement, which I think began with Edmond Bordeaux
[ Szekely in this century, has mostly developed its own religious
practices
[ and dietary, using the limited historical resources as a starting
point.

 From Chet Day's Health & Beyond, May 95, Interview with Reverend
Brother David Owen:

"While Jesus advocated raw foods - especially for healing - his only
requirement for discipleship was basic vegetarianism. Thus in 1995,
vegetarianism is a requirement of membership in Essene Church of
Christ. Raw foods are not a requirement of membership, but we
advocate that our  members move in that direction. Some of our
members eat 100% raw, but most eat about 50% raw."

The important word is vegetarianism rather than veganism. Sorry, no
mention of dairy in the interview, but I do know the reverend
consumes it in fermented form.

As far as ancient rituals, Reverend Owen is one of the few scholars
in this area. He may disagree as to how much is known or not known.
How much the modern movement has borrowed from the past is, from my
side, speculation at best.