H.H. Phakchok Rinpoche Ngawang Kalsang Nyima was born on the tenth day of the seventh Tibetan month of the Iron Bird Year, in the 16th His father is Palden, a son of the noble family Chulung Pontsang from Tsawa Gang, and his mother is Tsering Dekyi, who is the niece of the previous H.H. Phakchok Rinpoche, a descendent of the godly lineage of Bonkar, and a master of Tibetan Medicine.

In 1981, Tsering Dekyi bore a thick flesh covered placenta from which a boy appeared after being operated on. The moment he was born, he recited the mantra A HAM. The great accomplished master, Lama Tsejor Rinpoche gave him the name Ngawang Kalsang Nyima.

During childhood, he remembered his past life and activities very clearly. Dege Lhathok Gyalpo, also known as Sherab Senge, who was famous for his clairvoyance and signs of accomplishment, loudly told H.H. Phakchok Rinpoche Ngawang Kalsang Nyima's mother, "You have the incarnation of H.H. Taklung Riwoche Kyabgon Phakchok Rinpoche in your womb. Take this and put it around your neck." Having said thus, he gave her a piece of turquoise. H.H. Taklung Shabdung Rinpoche, H.H.Taklung Tsetul Rinpoche, H.H. Kunzig Panchen Rinpoche, and many other masters recognized him to be the unmistaken incarnation of the previous H.H. Phakchok Rinpoche Ngawang Thupten Namgyal, and advised him to enter school.

When H.H. Taklung Tsetul Rinpoche visited Riwoche, Phakchok Rinpoche offered the hair from the crown of his head and received the name, Ngawang Tenzin Choekyi Drakpa.

Without much effort, his wisdom and intelligence flowered. His uncle, H.E. Choktul Tenzin Gyaltsen was looked after by the previous H.H. Phakchok Rinpoche with great care and was told to have great hope in him in the future. Accordingly, Phakchok Tulku received with great effort all the ripening empowerments, liberating instructions, and supporting oral transmissions. Thus, he displayed noble qualities.

Based on subsequent requests from the monastery as well as the masses, in 2004 H.H. Taklung Tsetul Rinpoche, H.E. Choktul Tenzin Gyaltsen and many other great masters enthroned him as the unmistaken incarnation of the previous H.H. Phakchok Rinpoche Ngawang Thupten Namgyal with grandeur at Yishod Riwoche Taklung Monastery.

At present, he is shouldering the responsibility of looking after Yishod Riwoche monastery and visiting many of the Taklung Kagyu monasteries to give teachings. Hence, he is totally engaged in his spiritual activities.