The Dalai Lama’s landmark “Science for Monks” program, a 13-year-old initiative financially supported by millionaire philanthropist and Malden native Bobby Sager, incorporates the study of modern science into traditional monastic teachings and Buddhist philosophy.

Pictured: The Dalai Lama at the home of Bobby Sager (right) in Boston Oct. 16.

What Sager calls the untapped potential of this unique, dedicated and waning group of individuals, as well as their ability to provide a larger contribution to the human race, is emphasized in his new book, "Beyond the Robe."

As stressed in Sager’s book, Tibetan Buddhist monks study, engage in critical debate, meditate, reflect, and believe that the mind is the primary instrument in scientific research.

Pictured: The Dalai Lama with musician Sting (center) at the home of Bobby Sager in Boston Oct. 16.

Sager recently helped to launch the Science, Monks, and Technology initiative at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Pictured: The Dalai Lama is assisted by Whitehead Institute/MIT Center for Genome Research scientist Yama Chopel (left) and Center Director Eric Lander (right) as he prepares mouse DNA for sequencing with a syringe and pipet Sept. 13 at the lab in Cambridge.

“This is the first time in the 1,500-year history of Tibetan Buddhism that western science is being taught in the monasteries,” said Sager.

Pictured: The Dalai Lama at the home of Bobby Sager in Boston Oct. 16.