He then taught the practice publicly for two years in China, after which the practice continued to grow primarily by word-of mouth. He is not accorded special treatment, nor does he accept money or donations from students of Falun Gong. He has ensured that the practice be available to all people, and without any terms or conditions. Falun Gong is neither a religion nor sect - it has no temples, no rituals, no clergy or priests, and no ranks. It never collects money from people, and there is no initiation or membership.
Practitioners lead normal lives and participate actively in their communities.
The practice is an individual choice and is centered on the improvement of one's self. As such, there are no obligations, and everyone is free to come and go as they choose. Falun Gong has no political agenda or affiliation. However, the Chinese government has perceived Falun Gong as a threat, just as it has other groups that are popular or that involve principles not directly related to their Communist ideology. Since then tens of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners have been detained, and thousands have been beaten, forced from their jobs, homes, schools, and sent to labor camps without trial.