Buddhist Nazorean Commonalities

A cursory glance at Nazorean Gnosticism and Central Asian Buddhism does not reveal a lot of similarities. Part of this illusion comes from the fact that Gnosticism was interpreted to the world through Judeo-Christian eyes. But going past this surface condemnation we see a faith very similar in many ways to eastern Buddhism. Nazoreans were criticized harshly by the meat eating Christians for their insistence on an all plant based diet. Yet Nazoreans have this focus in common with Ch’an, Jainism and Bon. The Gnostics tended to worship a four-fold set of Gods and Goddesses that are the exact equivalent of the Four Peaceful Deities of Bon. Nazoreans were criticized for focusing on the obtainment of enlightenment, or Gnosis, rather than trusting in the blood of a crucified savior. They had this in harmony with the eastern faiths as well. The Bonpo Book of the Dead speaks of a 49 day journey through the afterlife before rebirth, as do the Nazoreans in their Book of the Dead and rituals of rebirth. Christians mocked the Nazoreans for believing in reincarnation like their eastern brethren and sisters.