明清时期淮安地区慈善机构初探

Charities in the Huaian Region of the Ming and Qing Dynasties

明清时期是中国古代慈善事业发展最为成熟和完备的时期。明清时期淮安地区出现了众多的慈善机构和慈善设施,其中既有养济院、惠民药局、栖流所等官方慈善机构,也有官方和民间创建的育婴堂、普济堂、清节堂等善会和善堂。在慈善机构的创立和发展过程中,以地方士绅和商人为主体的民间力量发挥了重要作用。

The Ming and Qing Dynasties witnessed the most mature and comprehensive period of the development of ancient Chinese philanthropy. In the Huaian region in the Ming and Qing Dynasties appeared numerous charities and charitable facilities, which included such official charities as Yangjiyuan, Huimin pharmacy and Qiliusuo, and charities co-organized by government and non-governmental organizations （like Yuyingtang, Pujitang and Qingjietang）. The non-governmental forces with local gentry and merchants as the mainstay have played an important role in the process of the creation and development of charities.