I'm not seeing a meaningful difference since the boundary between a passive or active supernatural force is not always clear in any regional belief system.
Christians will pray to Saints, which appear to be beings, but the rituals having to do with their invocation often seem to be treating them like forces.
The difference is orientalism and the compulsion to label Asian beliefs as more mysterious and wise than usual.
It's not a difference. Take a look at proposed mechanisms of fan death, and consider, does that seem like a belief in the supernatural? Or a belief in a natural process that, incidentally, shouldn't actually be true?
People generally believe their own beliefs, and this includes believing that the way they think the world works is natural, not supernatural.
Christians will pray to Saints, which appear to be beings, but the rituals having to do with their invocation often seem to be treating them like forces.
The difference is orientalism and the compulsion to label Asian beliefs as more mysterious and wise than usual.