Zhabkar Tsokdruk Rangdrol (zhabs dkar tshogs drug rang grol) was born in 1781 among the yogins of the Rebkong (reb kong) region in Amdo province, who were renowned for their mastery of the Vajrayāna practices. His ancestral line was from the Cho clan. His childhood name was Ngawang Tashi (ngag dbang bkra shis). According to his extensive autobiography, as a child he showed a strong inclination toward the contemplative life, and visions similar to those experienced in advanced Dzogchen practice came to him naturally.