Guanyin (in pinyin; previous transliterations Quan Yin, Kwan Yin, or Kuanyin) is an East Asian deity of mercy, and a bodhisattva associated with compassion as venerated by Mahayana Buddhists. The name Guanyin is short for Guanshiyin, which means Observing the Sounds (or Cries) of the World. She is also sometimes referred to as Guanyin Pusa. Some Buddhists believe that when one of their adherents departs from this world, they are placed by Guanyin in the heart of a lotus, and then sent to the western pure land of SukhÃÂvatë. It is generally accepted among East Asian adherents that Guanyin originated as the Sanskrit AvalokiteÃ
âºvara. Commonly known in English as the Mercy Goddess or Goddess of Mercy, Guanyin is also revered by Chinese Taoists as an immortal. In Chinese folk religion there are mythical accounts about Guanyin's origins that are
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