旅沪甬商曹兰彬生平及其慈善事业

The Life and Charity of Cao Lanbin,a Ningbo Merchant Living in Shanghai

宁波商人曹兰彬通过经营顺泰木行致富,成为沪上著名的木业巨商。凭借血缘、姻缘、乡缘、业缘、趣缘等诸缘关系,曹兰彬广泛与社会各界交游。商业活动与社会交游中积累的财富、名望和人脉,成为曹兰彬发展慈善事业的重要资源。旅沪甬商,佛教和鄞县地域文化的影响是曹兰彬从事慈善事业的动机。曹兰彬的慈善事业以宁波、上海两地为中心,包括救助社会弱势群体、兴办教育事业、救济灾荒和修建公共设施等。以曹兰彬等为代表的宁波商人积极参与慈善活动,弥补了国家力量在近代慈善事业中的缺位,在一定程度上缓和了地方社会的矛盾,维护了社会的稳定和谐。

Cao Lanbin,a Ningbo merchant,got rich by running Shuntai Wood Company and became a famous wood businessman in Shanghai.Relying on blood,marriage,hometown,industry,interest and other relationships,Cao Lanbin made extensive contacts with people from all walks of life.The wealth,fame and connections accumulated in business activities and social contacts became important resources for Cao Lanbin to develop charity.The influence of Ningbo merchants in Shanghai,Buddhism and the regional culture of Yin County was the motivation for Cao Lanbin to engage in charity.Cao Lanbin’s charity was centered in Ningbo and Shanghai,including helping the disadvantaged social groups,establishing education,providing disaster relief and building public facilities.Ningbo businessmen represented by Cao Lanbin actively participated in charity activities,making up for the absence of national power in modern charity,easing the contradictions in local society to a certain extent,and maintaining social stability and harmony.