中国慈善的传统与现代转型

The Transformation of Philanthropy in China:from the Past to the Present

中国慈善演进过程中,存在传统慈善、近代慈善、当代慈善三种类型,经历了近代与当代两次历史转型。传统慈善是一种养济型慈善,无论外在形态还是内在理念,均与农耕社会相适应,体现了对儒家大同世界的理想追求。传统慈善的近代转型,并非自身发展结果,而是千年未有变局的时代要求。近代转型后的中国慈善,开始从养济型向教养型转变,但也表现出一种夹杂新旧、兼具中西的"过渡时代"特征。中国慈善的当代转型则正式起步于21世纪初,目前尚在进行之中。当代转型之际的中国慈善,出现了全新的事物与观念,但仍保存着部分传统习惯。梳理中国慈善的传统历史与两次转型可知,中国慈善植根于中华传统文化,其理想目标在于,维护社会秩序的良性运转,其对于推动社会文明进步产生了重要的作用和影响。

Philanthropy in China has had three types:the traditional one,the modern one,and the contemporary one.In its development it has undergone two major transformations,which has allowed it to change from the traditional type to the modern type and finally to the contemporary type.The traditional philanthropy features a combination of nursing and relief,which is in keeping with the features of the agricultural society both in form and content and is an embodiment of the Confucian idea of the"world of universal harmony".The modern philanthropy came not as a result of its own development,but as a response to the unprecedented changes that were taking place in Chinese society in modern times.As such it features a shift of the focus from"nursing and relief"to"relief and education",an idea that is both old and new,Chinese and Western.The contemporary philanthropy started with the advent of the 21st century,and is still in the shaping.It is completely new in form and content,though it has retained some traditional elements.A review of the evolution of notions of philanthropy in China shows that the Chinese ideas and practice of philanthropy are rooted in Chinese culture and are committed to maintaining the order and smooth operation of society,thus playing a significant role in pushing up the development of the Chinese society.