Originally the white thread group of Pwo Karen were animists and tree worshippers. Once they began to derive Buddhist influences from the Mon, some became yellow thread Saderng, while others abandoned the wrist tying ceremony altogether and adopted the tradition of drinking boiled water. Evidence of further attempts by the white thread group in Thailand to incorporate Buddhism into their faith include substituting worship of the jungle spirits for the guardian spirits of the household or Buddhist icons kept inside the house. Similar attempts to adapt to Buddhism by the yellow thread Saderng group include adopting the yellow thread the color of monks' robes, and praying to Buddhist icons or monks instead of the pagoda of Sao Saderng and the religious leader (jao wat). Meanwhile the group that ritually drinks boiled water has become less strict in their adherence to tradition; this loosening of traditional mores began when the group accepted liquor as a form of 'boiled water' therefore permissible to drink. The Karen that have converted to Christianity have abandoned both the wrist tying ceremony and the ritual of drinking boiled water. However, the majority of Karen are Buddhists (p. 65-66).