I just read a fascinating article called, “In Thailand, blood sacrifice is out, Strawberry Fanta is in. (https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-04-06/thailand-blood-sacrifice-out-strawberry-fanta) Most all Thai homes have a “spirit house” in which resident ghosts reside in order to protect a person’s property and in exchange for this service are served a variety of fruits, sweet meats, rice, coconuts, but especially Strawberry Fanta. If you see a number of bottles displayed, then no doubt someone in the residence is asking for a particularly important favor. None of this comes from the teaching of the Buddha, but instead can be traced to original animistic beliefs.
No one is sure why red is the preferred color, but in the article this explanation is given, “Bangkok office worker wishing for a raise isn’t going to slaughter a chicken and lay it upon an altar outside her condo. But she may very well swing by the 7-Eleven and buy the next-best thing — blood-red Fanta — to placate her guardian angels.” Some Buddhist take offense at this idea maintaining that these “angels” are strictly vegetarian and only demons would demand a blood sacrifice. With such world views you can imagine how difficult it is to communicate why it was necessary for Jesus to shed his precious blood in order to satisfy the just wrath of God against sinners (1 Pet 1:18-19). Pray that the Thai will see that “ … without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Heb. 9:22).
