Was Paul an Essene?

You can find this question/theory/speculation in many on-line sources. The crucial question is: Do we have any evidence to support/deny it?Support:
1. Paul's teaching is clearly apocalyptic.
2. Paul's celibacy
3. Egalitarianism
4. Paul had vision on the road to Damascus. Damascus is often referred as one of Essene centers. Were Essenes "responsible" for Saul conversion? (and a story leaped into my mind immediately ):

quote:

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7: And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated.

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What sort of "thorn" is he speaking about? There are several theories including homosexuality. Personally, I think epilepsy is the most logical answer. So here is my story:

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On the road to Damascus Paul suffered severe epileptic seizure accompanied with some hallucinations. His companions were so scared (they might think he had a plague) so they left him unconscious on the road. Some Essenes found him there and helped him. He told them about his "vision" and Essenes explained its "meaning" to him.

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Related question:Saul was originally sent to Damascus to destroy some small group of Nazoreans. Later - already converted - he traveled to Jerusalem to speak with Peter and James. Isn't it strange? Why all that effort to persecute some group in far away town, while there are other "renegades" including their leaders leaving quite comfortably and safely in Jerusalem?------------------
Life has no meaning but itself.