Ngawang Sonam Wangchuk, the twenty-eighth Sakya throneholder, was born in 1638 at Sakya Monastery. His father was the great Jamgön Anye Shyap Kunga Sonam, the twenty-seventh Sakya throneholder. His mother was Machick Orgyen Kyabma.

He started receiving empowerments and teachings from his father at a young age. It was said that he became well-versed in maṇḍala drawing and ritual performance. He received Lamdré teachings from his father when he was thirteen. He also studied with Sonam Wangpo (the seventeenth Zhalu Monastery abbot) and Ngawang Namgyal.

He was encouraged by the Great Fifth Ngawang Lobzang Gyatso to teach the Sakya tantric traditions. He spent some time turning the wheel of Dharma around Tibet, including giving empowerments and teachings to Terdak Lingpa.

Further Reading:

Dirk Schmidt, “The Twenty-Eighth Sakya Tridzin, Ngawang Sonam Wangchuk,” Treasury of Lives.