Abbey Rader’s martial arts studies began in 1964 in the Nisei Goju system with Grandmaster Frank Ruiz and sensei John Giordano. Years later Mr. Rader studied in the Gojuryu system with Rick “The Fireman” Joslin.

In 1975 Abbey met his lifelong Buddhist and Meditation teacher, Ch’an Master Sheng-yen. At that time Abbey was one of a handful of students who learned and took retreats with this great master who had just come to America. Mr. Rader attended countless week-long or longer Ch’an (Zen) meditation retreats under the Guidance of Master Sheng-yen, to whom he is eternally grateful for the wisdom and compassion he showed to his students. Abbey was given the Buddhist Dharma name Guo Hsing, which means “fruit of good fortune”.

In 2000 Abbey began studying Qigong and Taiji with Grandmaster Wei Zhong Foo and Dorothy Chong. Over a few years he learned Wuji-Gong, Emei Heaven and Earth, Emei Eighteen Method Qigong Forms and The Eighteen Shi Taiji form From Master Foo, and Wisdom Qigong, Yang simplified 24 taiji and Fu style long form from Dorothy Chong.

Recently, Abbey learned the Yang Style 108 Long Form from Robert Cheng at the International Buddhist Progress Society Buddhist Temple (IBPS) in Tamarac, Florida. When Mr. Cheng moved away he left Mr. Rader to continue teaching, which he has been doing for some time now. Currently, Mr. Rader has met a very strong Tai Chi Chuan teacher, Chen Ji Fang, who is deepening Mr. Rader’s Yang Style practice and opening up the deeper martial arts aspects of Tai Chi Chuan. To have met a teacher like this is another great gift says Mr. Rader.

Abbey is participating in all the services and events offered at the IBPS, under the guidance of Chueh Hsing Fa-Shih, the head of the temple and has been learning many aspects of the pureland practice under her tireless compassion, patience, and wisdom, once again Mr. Rader is deeply grateful for her teaching.

On July 2, 2006 Abbey took the Five Precepts and the Triple Gem Refuge from Master Hsing Yun in Orlando, Florida. Master Hsing Yun is the founder of the International Buddhist Progress Society as well as the Hsi-Lai Temples and Fo Guang Shan International Buddhist Order.

Abbey Rader was one of 130 people who received the Bodhisattva Precepts on November 19, 2006 at the Dharma Drum Retreat Center in New York. The ceremony was personally presided over by Venerable Master Sheng Yen. “A Bodhisattva is a person who aspires to Buddhahood while seeking to enlighten all sentient beings on the path,” the Master said. Venerable Master Sheng Yen described this transmission ceremony as an unprecedented event.

Mr. Rader has attended workshops with:

Martial Arts: