What about the buddhism that chant sutra for chao du and
emphasize on Goddess of Mercy?
Is pure land known as xi fang, west (something like paradise,
heaven)?
Mahayana and Vajrayana do 'chao du'. I don't know whether
Theravada do chao du or not, but dedication of merits, whether
through chanting, dana (giving), etc, is common to all traditions.
It is in hope that the merits dedicated will have a positive effect
on the person's rebirth into a better realm.
Goddess of Mercy in Buddhism is not a goddess, but a
Bodhisattva. He/She known as Guan Yin Pu Sa, is not a goddess,
because goddess and gods are still beings in samsara and subject to
suffering and cycles of rebirth.
Guan Yin is already above rebirth but she can emanate out of her
powers to lead people to enlightenment. He/She is not limited to
any particular form, though in China she is depicted as female, in
Tibet he is depicted as male, (because Guan Yin manifest in
different ways to different people) and can manifest in countless
other non-human forms as well.
Pure Land is not a heaven, because heaven are still part of the
6 realms of samsara.
The 6 realms:
3 lower realms: hell, ghost, animal
3 higher realms: asura, human, deva/heaven
Beings from hell to heaven are still subject to rebirth and
suffering. Even if heaven is pleasurable, after their long lifespan
finish they still will reborn again, possibly in lower realms.
Pure Land is different, it is not a heaven purely for enjoyment
but a manifestation by Amitabha to create a conducive environment
for beings to attain enlightenment.
