Guanyin is the bodhisattva associated with compassion as venerated by East Asian Buddhists, usually as a female. The name Guanyin is short for Guanshiyin which means "Observing the Sounds (or Cries) of the World". She is also sometimes referred to as
Mami Wata, or La Sirene, is a water spirit venerated in West, Central, and Southern Africa and in the African diaspora in the Americas. Mami Wata spirits are usually female but are sometimes male.
Gender of deity
Female
Female
Goddess in which religion
Buddhism
Vodou
Worshipped predominantly in which denomination
Mahayana
Benin Vodou
Place of worship
Buddhist temples
Vodou temples
Place of origin
China
West Africa
Use of statues and pictures
Permitted.
Yes. Several.
Founder
The Buddha
N/A.
Belief of God
Goddess
Goddess
Clergy
monks and nuns
Priests & priestesses
View of the Buddha
Kwan Yin is a Buddhist goddess
N/A.
Status of Muhammad
N/A.
N/A.
Second coming of Jesus
N/A.
N/A.
No. of Gods and Godesses
Kwan Yin is one of numerous deities.
One of many deities.
Concept of God
Goddess of mercy.
Water goddess.
Branches
Mahayana Buddhism.
Benin Vodou; Haitian Vodou; Louisiana Vodou.
Use of statues, images
Plenty
Plenty.
Belief of deities
Goddess. One of several deities.
Goddess. One of several deities.
Authority of Pope
N/A.
N/A.
Venerated in
Buddhism.
West African Vodun, Haitian Vodou, Folk Catholicism, Odinani, Yoruba religion, Louisiana Voodoo
Comments: Kwan Yin vs Mami Wata