明清时期雷州地区的民间慈善活动

明清时期雷州地区民间慈善活动包括资助族人度过难关、对身陷困境的乡邻施以援手、让利施惠于人、灾后义赈、捐资兴教助学等形式。民间慈善活动的盛行,由多种因素共同促成:明清时期雷州地区经济的发展,为慈善活动的开展奠定了物质基础;儒学教育的深入普及,使仁慈观念深入人心;雷州地方官及本地义士慈善义举的示范影响;官府对慈善义举的表彰及民间对慈善义士的推崇;慈善义举是富有人家保护其私有财产的唯一有效的办法。民间慈善活动的开展,有利于缓和阶级矛盾,稳定社会秩序;推动了当地教育事业的发展,促使人才辈出。

On Non-governmental Charity Activities in Leizhou area in the Ming and Qing Dynasties

The non-governmental charity activities in Leizhou area during the Ming and Qing Dynasties include aiding the troubled clans and neighbors, post-disaster relief, donation to education and so on. The prevalence of char-ity activities resulted from many factors：the economic development of Leizhou area in the Ming and Qing Dynasties which laid a material base for charity activities, popularization of Confucian education which sowed the idea of kind-ness among the people, example effect of local officials and local charitable people in Leizhou, recognition of charita-ble deeds from government and civilians. Charity is the only effective way for the rich people to protect their private property. Non-governmental charity activities eased the class contradiction, stabilized the social order, and promoted the development of local education which cultivated talented people.