Tupten Osel Choling (TOC) is a Tibetan Buddhist, non-profit organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was founded to support the work of Ven. Sogan Rinpoche who has generously offered to share his knowledge of the Buddhadharma with anyone wishing to receive it.
TOC sponsors teachings, animal release ceremonies and retreats, and invites other Buddhist masters to teach in the San Francisco area.  
Our Name
The meaning of Tupten Osel Choling is actually a shortened form of the Tibetan phrase: 
Tupten Osel Chokhor Ling
Tupten means the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha.
Osel means the clear light of ultimate reality.
Chokhor means Dharmacakra – or – the wheel of the Dharma.
Ling means the abode. 
So the name can be translated as:
The Abode of the Dharma Wheel of the Buddha's Teachings on the Clear Light of Ultimate Reality


Our Logo
The meaning of the Tupten Osel Choling logo
1. To illustrate the thorough purification of destructive states of mind: An Unfurling Stainless White Silken Scarf (Or: An Unfurling Stainless White Katag).
2. To show the impartial compassion that reaches out to all and will remain until the ocean of samsara is emptied: A White Lotus in Full Bloom.
3. To demonstrate the continual turning of the dharma wheel, where the view is mutual dependence and the conduct altruistic: The hand gesture/mudra of turning the dharma wheel.
4. To signify the development of love, compassion, and the precious mind aspiring to enlightenment for the betterment of all: A Bodhi Leaf.
Suka Vajra Sangha
In recent years, Ven. Sogan Rinpoche has generously shared the sacred teachings and spiritual practices of Sera Khandro through various retreats and teachings events in Northern California, Nevada, and Italy.  Sera Khandro was a mystic, mother, teacher, poetess, and Tibetan
Treasure-revealing saint.  
Sogan Rinpoche has a special relationship with Sera Khandro and her lineage. The Fourth Sogan Tulku, Sotrül Natsok Rangdrol, was one of the heart sons of Tulku Drimé Ozer, the fifth son of the great Traktung Düdjom Lingpa and Sera Khandro’s prophesied consort and treasure-revealing partner. It was at his invitation that Sera Khandro took refuge at Awo Sera Monastery in Serta, Golok, after the passing of Drimé Ozer in 1924. It was from there her fame as a realized dakini spread, and she became known as Sera Khandro, the dakini from Sera Monastery. Ven. Sogan Rinpoche holds the lineage of this great dakini coming through her own direct disciple, Chatral Sangyé Dorjé Rinpoche (1913-2015) to his disciple Tengboche Rinpoche, Ngawang Tenzin.  The Suka Vajra Sangha was formed to study her life-transforming texts and sacred practices.   Click HERE to learn more about Sera Khandro.