The article focuses on the belief in Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, in China. Buddhists say that the merciful Guanyin responds to every cry for help and even if surrounded by fire, the mere recitation of her name will extinguish the blaze. According to Liu Zhongyu, professor with the East China Normal University, followers of Buddhism in China pray for redress in this life rather than in the afterlife. Dates for worshipping the Guanyin include April 13, February 19, June 19 and September 19.
