Qi gong student, 27, dies from 'not eating for 54 days after a self-proclaimed master told him to follow the method to improve his health'
- The university graduate died Sunday at a health centre in north-eastern China
- He had come to the care facility to train under a self-proclaimed Qigong master
- The so-called guru allegedly ordered him not to eat for 70 days to stay healthy
- The man lost his life after only drinking water for nearly two months, it is claimed
A Chinese man has died at a rehabilitation centre after 'not eating for 54 days' during so-called 'health treatment', according to reports.
The 27-year-old victim's family said he had moved into the private care facility to follow a self-proclaimed Qigong master, Liu Shanglin.
The man, known by his surname Li, died on Sunday after allegedly being ordered by his teacher to go on the extreme diet by living off water for 70 days to improve his health.
A Chinese man (pictured left) has died at a rehabilitation centre after 'not eating for 54 days' for so-called 'health treatment' offered by a self-proclaimed Qigong master (pictured right)
The self-appointed expert was detained yesterday by police in Tieli of China's north-eastern province Heilongjiang.
Mr Li, a university graduate, had been living at the health centre since 2017 after struggling with mental problems, his family told Chinese media.
The facility, Riyuexia Elderly Forest Rehabilitation Centre, is owned by Mr Liu, the self-proclaimed Qigong master.
Qigong, which is thought to cultivate energy. While some claim it can heal the body, help others and also reconnect a person with their spiritual side.
Mr Li was said to have come to the health centre to follow the self-appointed spiritual guru, Mr Liu, who offers a range of so-called 'health treatment'.
Mr Liu had told his student to go on a 70-day diet - by only consuming water - to improve the university graduate's health, according to Mr Li's father.
Mr Li reportedly paid over 5,000 yuan (£569) for the treatment, his uncle told Chinese news outlet The Paper.
The facility, Riyuexia Elderly Forest Rehabilitation Centre, is owned by Mr Liu, the self-proclaimed Qigong master. Mr Liu is pictured giving a speech to his students at the centre
Over 300 people attended a 'Forest Yoga' programme held by the self-appointed master last year, according to the facility's social media page. The picture shows the students in the event
Though officials have yet to reveal more details about the incident, it is suspected by the Chinese media that Mr Li was told to follow the extreme method for being overweight.
An anonymous staff member told Pear Video: 'The kid didn't have any problems. He just talks to himself a little bit sometimes.
'He was quite heavy. He was about 180 kilos (397 pounds). The teacher then asked him not to eat and said it was good for his health,' the worker added.
The Qigong student died after starving himself for nearly two months.
Following the Qigong student's death, Mr Liu told reporters that the self-invented treatment normally lasted five to seven days. It was Mr Li who decided to extend the diet himself.
Mr Liu had also offered other 'health programmes', including forcing his students to clap for 20 minutes to 'boost their immune system by 21 times,' according to reports.
The facility, Riyuexia Elderly Forest Rehabilitation Centre, is owned by Mr Liu, the self-proclaimed Qigong master. It is located in Tieli of China's north-eastern province Heilongjiang
A Chinese man, Mr Li, has died at a rehabilitation centre after 'not eating for 54 days' during so-called 'health treatment', according to reports. The picture released by Chinese media is believed to be the dorm where Mr Li lived before he died from not eating for 54 days
It remains unclear how many Mr Liu's students reside at the health centre. But over 300 people attended a 'Forest Yoga' programme held by the self-appointed master last year, according to the facility's social media page.
Local police said that they had been investigating the incident after being notified about Mr Li's death on June 21.
Officers Tuesday detained the centre's owner, Mr Liu, along with two senior staff members under suspicion of using superstition to cause one's death.
Further investigation is ongoing, according to the police statement.
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