A 'sacrificial' cult, whose leader declared herself the 'living Buddha' and banned people from speaking or washing, has been raided by police.

In dramatic footage, police swoop on the monastery in the mountains of Taiwan as they rescue 19 people after one follower was allegedly killed during a sickening ritual.

Cult leader Lin Hsin-yue, 61, was among five people arrested at the cult - named Zhonghua Rixing Yishang or China Daily Virtue - which was sealed shut with a large metal gate to stop people escaping.

In dramatic video, police swoop on the monastery in the mountains of Taiwan as they rescue 19 people after one follower was allegedly killed during a sickening ritual

The cult - which has 100 members ranging from aged two to 80 - were not allowed phones and were beaten in 'exorcisms'.

Investigators seized various items used as weapons, including rods, wooden sticks and metal pipes, according to the Mirror

Police got involved after family members of a follower Ms Fang alleged she was beaten to death during a visit to China.

The leader had allegedly ordered the 20-year-old to be whipped as part of an exorcism or 'purification ceremony'.

Some 19 people were arrested after authorties raided the monastery in Taiwan

Investigators seized various items used as weapons, including rods, wooden sticks and metal pipes

Lin then allegedly fled back to Taiwan to avoid arrest.

Taiwan's Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) said the leader of the cult, who was referred to as the 'Holy Mother' or 'Living Buddha', authorised the shocking beatings.

She based her cult on Eastern and Western religious teachings.

The 19 people rescued from the temple had been viciously beaten for exorcism, failing to follow the rules or for trying to escape.

The 19 people rescued from the temple had been viciously beaten for exorcism, failing to follow the rules or for trying to escape

CID investigator Lai said: 'According to the followers, the cult leader claimed they had been possessed by evil beings which needed to be driven out through these exorcism beatings.

'No religion treats its followers this way.'

The Taichung District Court has ordered Lin to be remanded in custody and held incommunicado as investigations continue.