  Sapaṇ[1]  was the fourth of the “Five Great Throneholders” of Sakya (Tib. sa-skya), the monastery that was the seat of the noble Khön clan and the institutional hub for one of the main schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The first of the five was Sapaṇ’s grandfather, Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, and the second and third were his uncles Sonam Tsemo and Drakpa Gyeltsen. His uncles were both celibate monks, so the royal line fell naturally to him, the eldest nephew. Sapaṇ’s biographies contain hagiographical fancy that assimilates his early life to that of the Buddha or other great intellects: His mother dreamed of a crowned Nāga king coming to her when Sapaṇ entered her womb; as an infant he spoke and wrote Sanskrit; as a child he was gentle and compassionate, knew many topics without having studied them, and imbibed the dharma without effort. As he grew (and we enter more realistic history), he received teachings from many great masters both within his family and abroad, and he continued to distinguish himself for his preternaturally quick mastery, sharp discernment, and elegant instruction. In dreams, he had visions confirming his abilities at understanding the works of Vasubandhu and Dignāga.