Salo Jhampai Dorje Kunga Sonam, also known as Sakya Lotsāwa Jampai Dorje, was born in Tsedong. His father was Namkha Tashi Gyaltsen from the Ducho Labrang. His mother was Machik Hormo Tseten.

At the age of six, he received the Hevajra and Vajrakīlaya from Dagchen Gyagarpa Sherab Gyaltsen, the twentieth Sakya throne holder. He received lay vows from Lowo Khenchen Sonam Lhundrub, and received his novice vows from Lowo Khenchen and Yongdzin Konchog Pel, the seventh abbot of Ngor Monastery. He also received the full ordination from Yongdzin Konchog Pel. He mainly studied at Sakya, but also at Ngor, Tsedong, Nalendra, Lingga Dewachen, Reting, and other monasteries. Other than these three masters, his other teachers included Lama Lekpa Zangpo, Yonten Jungne, Muchen Sangye Rinchen (the eighth Ngor abbot), Choklo Rinchen Chogyal, and Zhalu Lotsāwa Rinchen Chokyong.