Khen Rigzin Norbu was born in 1993, in the Water Bird year of the Tibetan calendar, on the 25th day of the waning phase of the first Tibetan month, the Month of Miracles.
This highly auspicious day, associated with the dakinis day, marked his birth in Nganglam Valley Pema Gatshel District (southeastern of Bhutan) to his father Tsering Drubpa and his mother Tashi Lhamo. At birth, he was given the name Sönam Tsering.