One prominent feature of a cult is its hierarchical structure, through which practitioners strictly follow the instructions of the leader of the organization, and are willing to sacrifice themselves for this spiritual leader. Like such cult leaders as Jim Jones (the People’s Temple), David Koresh (Branch Davidians) and Shoko Asahara (Aum Shinrikyo), who boasted that they were God or God incarnate, in a similar way Li Hongzhi, the leader of Falun Gong brags that he attained the supreme Great Law with great supernatural powers, such as the ability to transport objects (without lifting a finger) and fix thing (at whatever spot), exercise mind control and make himself invisible…His energy potency reached an extremely high level.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5bMVP-ZQNk

In “The Doctrine of Li Hongzhi” written by David A Palmer, a professor of sociology at the University of Hong Kong, there are four main themes in Master Li’s work:

(1) an apocalyptic theme, stressing the moral decadence of humanity and the omnipresence of the forces of evil. Extra-terrestrials are infiltrating themselves in the body of humanity through modern science, the great enemy of virtue; the Buddhist prophecy of the imminent destruction of the world and inauguration of a new universal cycle, is close to being fulfilled.

(2) An exhortation to rigorous spiritual discipline, calling on followers to purify their hearts of all attachment to the things of this world. The gods have abandoned the orthodox religions of the past, which have already completely lost the spirit of the true Dharma.

(3) A messianic theme: Li Hongzhi is the omniscient and omnipotent saviour of the entire universe. He has revealed, for the first time in history, the fundamental Law of the universe, which is the only protection against the apocalypse.

(4) A sectarian practise : Li Hongzhi’s adepts must concentrate exclusively on Falun Gong; it is forbidden to read or even think about any other religion, philosophy, or school of thought or of Qigong. They must devote themselves heart and soul to Falun Gong’s psycho-physiological discipline; the perceptions and visions triggered by this practise are attributed to Li Hongzhi’s supernatural power.