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The Dalai Lama is a spiritual rock star all over the world, with millions snatching up tickets to his lectures, swarming him at venues and seeking personal audiences at his abode in India.

Yet the 80-year-old Buddhist leader's presence in the United States — and in Utah, where he'll be Tuesday and Wednesday — can be fraught with anxiety for would-be supporters as they weigh one big question: Should they meet with him?

The three members of the LDS Church's governing First Presidency have no plans to do so, says spokesman Eric Hawkins.

"The Dalai Lama met with them on a previous visit [in 2001] to Salt Lake," Hawkins says. "As a courtesy, a member of the Twelve [apostles] will have a brief, informal visit."

Even Pope Francis — the dynamic, barrier-busting leader of the largest Christian religion — has declined to meet the charismatic Tibetan.

The reason for all this obfuscating? The long arm of China casts a shadow over the ever-popular globe-trotting monk.

The world's most-populous nation believes that Tibet, which it took over in 1950, has always been a part of China and opposes any effort for independence.

As tiny Tibet's political and spiritual leader, who helped set up an exiled government in India, the Dalai Lama seems to symbolize the "Free Tibet" effort — despite saying repeatedly that he does not favor a complete break with China.

"His Holiness takes a 'middle-way approach,' " says Utah Tibetan leader Pema Chagzoetsang. "He sees Tibet as part of China, but wants Tibetans to have more autonomy to practice our religion, our language and our cultural traditions."

Chinese jabs at the Dalai Lama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, have escalated since the Buddhist monk dazzled Utah audiences 15 years ago.

Then-Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt invited him to stay at the Governor's Mansion during his four-day stay. This time around, the Dalai Lama will meet with Gov. Gary Herbert, some Utah legislators and Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski, but will not be housed or hosted by them.

That may be because political and business leaders — as well as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — all hope to expand their presence in China.

The LDS Church has a temple in Hong Kong to serve its 24,000-plus members there. But outside of Hong Kong and nearby Macau, the Utah-based faith is not allowed to proselytize in mainland China. Chinese nationals, who joined the LDS Church elsewhere, have formed branches (smaller versions of Mormon wards, or congregations) throughout the country.

Some of their family members have been allowed to be baptized but none of them may meet with expatriates.

In the past few years, Mormon officials have held "high-level talks" with Chinese officials, hoping one day to be allowed to spread their message openly.

Utah businesses would like to expand into the vast Chinese market as well. But too much deference toward the Dalai Lama could scuttle those dreams.

He is seen as "an example of defiance, Tibetan self-determination and ultimately independence," explains ex-Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., a former U.S. ambassador to China. "Any violation of China's sovereignty is met with swift and severe diplomatic responses, including the denial of visas, waving of investments and cancellation of important education conferences."

President Barack Obama met recently with Dalai Lama at the White House, though not in the Oval Office, and Beijing was none too pleased.

China also runs a "fairly aggressive campaign with U.S. governors and members of Congress to stay clear of Tibet," Huntsman says, "because meeting with the Dalai Lama suggests we are taking sides against them."

Huntsman, though, has been to Lhasa, Tibet's capital, and has met the Buddhist leader personally.

"I've always found it important to be an extension of our nation's values — which are pluralism, democracy and respect for diversity," he says. "When I went to China as ambassador, [officials] pulled out the photo of me with the Dalai Lama. I didn't get in any trouble, but it made them think I was intellectually supportive of Tibetan independence."

All Utah officials — whether from state government, a business or a religion — "will have to weigh the pros and cons of meeting with him," Huntsman says, "and face whether they can take the repercussions. There could be a cost."

On the flip side, he warns, there could be a price to pay if LDS Church and state officials decline to meet the spiritual giant.

"If we don't express our values as leaders of a state or religion," Huntsman says, "we are diminished in the eyes of the people here and abroad."