论儒家慈善观的理路

On the Rationality and Implementation of a Confucian Charity View

儒家倡导仁爱的慈善观,其理论基础是传统的民本思想。儒家以民为本的仁爱慈善观,体现在国家政治实践中,首要的考量就是要爱民,这也是儒家规定给人君的政治实践。古代执政者的慈善关怀及其政治实践的落实,体现在从先秦至清朝历代官方扶危济困的不同慈行善举之中,其本身也成为执政者重视民本、惠施仁政的重要表征。在传统国家与社会治理中,慈善事宜并非全然由官府负责。深受儒家文化熏陶而活跃于乡村民间的乡绅们,主动施善为乡民排忧解难,承担起传统中国民间的慈善责任。

Confucianism advocates the charity concept of "ren ai", with classical humane thinking as its theoretical basis. The Confucian charity concept is embodied in China’s political and ruling practices, most prominently as loving the people. This is also the requirement of Confucianism for rulers. Various official activities of helping the needy from the pre-Qin to the Qing dynasties show the charity views and policies of ancient rulers. These activities also demonstrate how those in power attached importance to promoting the good of the common people and benevolent governance. Moreover, in the governance of social states, charity was not the sole responsibility of the government. The group of "xiang shen", who were deeply influenced by Confucian culture and were active in rural and civil affairs, took the initiative to help the villagers and solve their problems, and thus jointly carried out traditional charity activities with the government.