Hi, sorry but I will reply some people here since the Moderator
of the Eternal Hope forum closed the topic after the topic started
by James was seen as inappropriate.
Monkey God, Shango, I don't think is part of Buddhism. Probably
some kind of spirit-deity, but has nothing to do with
Buddhism.
Guan Gong is a worldly dharma protector, not an enlightened one.
Nevertheless we do pay respect to him.
Goddess of Mercy is not a Goddess, but rather, a Bodhisattva [Pu
Sa] (on the path to Buddhahood). His name is Guan Yin or
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva in Sanskrit. He is a role model for
Mahayana Buddhists with aspirations to attain Buddhahood, each
Great Bodhisattva symbolises something, in this case, Guan Yin
symbolises Great Compassion. We pay reverence to Bodhisattvas and
Buddhas as great teachers but generally do not worship them.
Gods in Buddhism are Samsaric/worldly figures, meaning they have
not attained Enlightenment and might not necessarily be on the path
towards liberation. They still undergo samsaric rebirths. Buddha
was known as 'The Teacher of Gods and Men'.
More info:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/bps/wheels/wheel414.html
Contents
* I. Introduction
* II. The Buddha Teaches Deities
* III. Devas and Brahmas Honor the Buddha
* IV. The Role of Devas in the Buddha's Career
* V. Liberation for Humans, Devas, and Brahmas
* Notes
* Abbreviations
* Bibliography
Actually to be precise we do not worship them in anyway.
'Superstitious' in Buddhist view here probably meant worshipping
them out of fear, or for a worldly favours/to ask for plenty of
money/to change luck/etc etc... or seeking divination and other
stuff from them.