Our Teachers
Ruben Habito
Founding Teacher of MKZC
Ruben began Zen practice in Japan under the guidance of Yamada Koun Roshi and completed his koan studies in 1988. He came to Dallas to assume a faculty position at SMU's Perkins School of Theology in 1989. Married to Maria Reis Habito, together they have two grown sons. Having retired from his teaching at SMU, he now lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and continues to be present to MKZC online at its monthly Days of Zen. He also comes to Dallas to conduct Zen retreats in person.
Helen Cortes
Resident Teacher of MKZC
Helen began Zen practice at MKZC in 1992. She served as Executive Director of the MKZC for many years. She was appointed Zen Teacher in 2010 and assumed teaching responsibilities. Ruben appointed her as Resident Teacher of MKZC in May, 2024. She guides the sangha in its on-site and online practice sessions and leads sesshins once or twice a year. Helen is a Benedictine Oblate of Osage Monastery.
Newly Appointed Teachers
Michael Mason
Teacher at large
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Jane Patterson
Teacher at large
Los Angeles, California
Newly Appointed Assistant Teachers
Ruslan Sadyerev
Boston, Massachusetts
Michael Kampschaefer
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Other Appointed Teachers & Their Sanghas
Valerie Forstman
Valerie began Zen practice with Ruben Habito in 1994. She serves as guiding teacher of Mountain Cloud Zen Center in New Mexico and the Dancing Crane Zen Center in Gainesville, FL.
Mountain Cloud Zen Center
Santa Fe, NM
Lea Ann Nail
Lee Ann began zen practice in 1985. She serves as guiding teacher of the Salem Zen Center in Portland. She works as therapist in Portland, Oregon.
Salem Zen Center
Salem, OR
Maria Habito
Maria began zen practice in 1987. She serves as guiding teacher of Sophia Zen Center in Indiana. She works as program director of the Museum of World Religions in Taiwan.
John Petersen
John began zen practice in 2003 and studied with Maria Habito in 1012. He was appointed zen teacher in 2023 in the Maria Kannon Lineage by both Ruben Habito and Maria Reis Habito. He serves as the resident teacher of the Sophia Zen Center.