乩童是一种职业,类似西方的灵媒,是道教仪式中,神明跟人或鬼魂跟人之间的媒介。泰国南部大城合艾的“九皇斋胜会”吸引了逾四十个泰南的神庙、民间组织,引吸逾三万名游客来参与盛会。 
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虽然被称为乩童,但实际上也有年纪很大的。神明上身则称为“起乩”,而整个过程则被称为“扶乩”。 
此外,还有各种自残式神功,乩童把各种利器,如斧头、镰刀等往自己的身驱、舌头挥割及挥砍,导致全身血淋淋、非常骇人,甚至有乩童被丢入滚烫的油锅,也许真有神明保估,乩童竟完全无痛苦状。 
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据说,这些乩童看上去自残的行为其实并不疼痛,而且伤口会很快愈合。乩童以这种看来非常骇人的行为来展现他们的神力。
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