許(xu)順(shun)之,名許(xu)升(sheng),福建同安人。許(xu)順(shun)之從小(xiao)跟(gen)隨(sui)朱(zhu)熹,飽學儒(ru)家經典(dian),受到傳統儒(ru)學教育,后跟(gen)隨(sui)朱(zhu)熹治(zhi)學興儒(ru),傳道授業,是眾(zhong)所崇敬(jing)(jing)的(de)宋代儒(ru)士(shi),他一生撰寫了(le)《孟子(zi)說》、《禮記文(wen)解(jie)(jie)》、《易解(jie)(jie)》等(deng)著作,發(fa)表(biao)各(ge)種論(lun)著,崇敬(jing)(jing)先圣(sheng),主張和宣傳“周(zhou)孔(kong)之道常(chang)存”。講解(jie)(jie)朱(zhu)熹“理(li)(li)氣”學說,論(lun)證“天(tian)理(li)(li)與人欲(yu)”的(de)對(dui)(dui)立,對(dui)(dui)于緩和社會矛(mao)盾(dun)起積極作用,《八閩通志(zhi).儒(ru)林傳》高度評(ping)價許(xu)順(shun)之的(de)事跡。江南各(ge)地(di)朱(zhu)子(zi)祠(ci)堂(tang)都配祀許(xu)順(shun)之塑(su)像(xiang)。
許(xu)(xu)順之生(sheng)于宋(song)代紹(shao)興十一年(nian)(nian),父親許(xu)(xu)漠,宋(song)代“崇尚(shang)師儒,教子有方(fang)”的文(wen)人(ren),祖父許(xu)(xu)權,治平二年(nian)(nian)進士,官(guan)至承信大夫,伯祖父許(xu)(xu)楫(ji),元豐八年(nian)(nian)進士。
宋紹興二十二年(nian)朱(zhu)熹(xi)(xi)授任(ren)同(tong)(tong)安(an)主(zhu)簿,任(ren)兼領學(xue)(xue)(xue)事。他(ta)(ta)繼承儒學(xue)(xue)(xue),以(yi)文(wen)教(jiao)(jiao)民,在(zai)同(tong)(tong)安(an)任(ren)職四年(nian),致力為(wei)(wei)同(tong)(tong)安(an)興教(jiao)(jiao)立學(xue)(xue)(xue)開拓園地,在(zai)他(ta)(ta)手(shou)上建了(le)經(jing)史(shi)(shi)閣、教(jiao)(jiao)思(si)(si)堂(tang),還(huan)設志(zhi)道、據德、依仁、游(you)藝四大(da)齋(zhai),一方面收集(ji)(ji)全國(guo)經(jing)書著作,貯藏經(jing)卷;一方面招生(sheng)辦(ban)學(xue)(xue)(xue),“選邑秀民弟子員(yuan),日與(yu)講說圣賢,修已治人(ren)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)道”。時(shi)13歲(sui)的(de)許(xu)(xu)(xu)(xu)順之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)便是(shi)朱(zhu)熹(xi)(xi)第一代學(xue)(xue)(xue)生(sheng)。許(xu)(xu)(xu)(xu)順之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)自(zi)小(xiao)聰明(ming),他(ta)(ta)學(xue)(xue)(xue)習用功,專心致志(zhi),理解(jie)能(neng)力強,有自(zi)己的(de)獨撰(zhuan),深得朱(zhu)熹(xi)(xi)的(de)喜歡,據史(shi)(shi)料記(ji)載,許(xu)(xu)(xu)(xu)順之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)成為(wei)(wei)朱(zhu)熹(xi)(xi)學(xue)(xue)(xue)徒后,朱(zhu)熹(xi)(xi)特為(wei)(wei)許(xu)(xu)(xu)(xu)升取字(zi)“順之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)”,并寫《順之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)字(zi)說》送給他(ta)(ta),朱(zhu)熹(xi)(xi)平(ping)時(shi)給他(ta)(ta)講解(jie)圣賢書,還(huan)經(jing)常到他(ta)(ta)家“訪求名士”。《紫(zi)陽(yang)大(da)同(tong)(tong)集(ji)(ji)》一書收集(ji)(ji)朱(zhu)子薄同(tong)(tong)時(shi)的(de)文(wen)章、講稿,其中一部份(fen)收集(ji)(ji)朱(zhu)熹(xi)(xi)與(yu)門(men)(men)人(ren)許(xu)(xu)(xu)(xu)順之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)輩答(da)問(wen)(wen)對話,這些答(da)問(wen)(wen)對話可(ke)(ke)以(yi)看出,朱(zhu)熹(xi)(xi)主(zhu)薄同(tong)(tong)安(an)時(shi),許(xu)(xu)(xu)(xu)順之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)尚在(zai)志(zhi)學(xue)(xue)(xue)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)日,然(ran)其所為(wei)(wei),思(si)(si)想已是(shi)十分成熟。同(tong)(tong)時(shi)可(ke)(ke)以(yi)看出朱(zhu)熹(xi)(xi)與(yu)許(xu)(xu)(xu)(xu)順之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)他(ta)(ta)們之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)間不僅(jin)有師(shi)道之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)誼(yi),也有人(ren)性(xing)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)情,感情堪深。許(xu)(xu)(xu)(xu)順之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)崇(chong)敬師(shi)圣,朱(zhu)熹(xi)(xi)也深愛自(zi)己的(de)門(men)(men)生(sheng)許(xu)(xu)(xu)(xu)順之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。
紹興二十七年,朱(zhu)熹在同安任(ren)期滿后轉(zhuan)到建陽(yang),許(xu)(xu)順(shun)(shun)之也(ye)跟隨朱(zhu)熹到建陽(yang)。在建陽(yang),許(xu)(xu)順(shun)(shun)之一(yi)方面繼續拜朱(zhu)熹為(wei)師,一(yi)方面與(yu)朱(zhu)熹四(si)處講(jiang)學說道,為(wei)宣(xuan)傳儒(ru)學做了很多(duo)(duo)工作。許(xu)(xu)氏族譜記載,朱(zhu)熹在同安任(ren)期滿后,把許(xu)(xu)升(sheng)帶到建陽(yang),“以卒講(jiang)業”。朱(zhu)熹對此也(ye)有(you)很好評價:“諸生相從游者多(duo)(duo)矣,其(qi)恬淡靖退(tui),無物欲之累,未(wei)有(you)如順(shun)(shun)之者”。
朱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)熹(xi)發(fa)展二(er)程(cheng)理(li)(li)氣關(guan)系學(xue)(xue)(xue)說(shuo),集理(li)(li)學(xue)(xue)(xue)之(zhi)大(da)成,建(jian)立一個完整理(li)(li)學(xue)(xue)(xue)體(ti)系,后這套理(li)(li)學(xue)(xue)(xue)體(ti)系被視為正(zheng)(zheng)統(tong)的儒(ru)學(xue)(xue)(xue),始終處于獨尊地位,“罷默百(bai)家,獨崇(chong)(chong)儒(ru)術”,是(shi)(shi)封建(jian)社會的官學(xue)(xue)(xue)。許順(shun)(shun)之(zhi)在朱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)熹(xi)身旁,“敦習詩(shi)書,崇(chong)(chong)研(yan)(yan)師儒(ru),以(yi)正(zheng)(zheng)自(zi)栽”。他探(tan)研(yan)(yan)儒(ru)學(xue)(xue)(xue)理(li)(li)論(lun)(lun),體(ti)會理(li)(li)學(xue)(xue)(xue)思想,撰寫了《孟(meng)(meng)子說(shuo)》、《禮(li)記(ji)文解(jie)》、《易(yi)解(jie)》等著作,發(fa)表各種論(lun)(lun)著,講解(jie)朱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)熹(xi)“理(li)(li)氣”學(xue)(xue)(xue)說(shuo),論(lun)(lun)證“天(tian)理(li)(li)與(yu)人欲”的對(dui)立,要(yao)求人們去掉過份的“人欲”,要(yao)存“天(tian)理(li)(li)”。這些不(bu)僅對(dui)于緩和(he)社會矛(mao)盾,而(er)且(qie)對(dui)于維護(hu)和(he)宣(xuan)傳(chuan)朱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)熹(xi)理(li)(li)學(xue)(xue)(xue)思想起到(dao)積極(ji)作用。許順(shun)(shun)之(zhi)寫《孟(meng)(meng)子說(shuo)》、《禮(li)紀文解(jie)》、《易(yi)解(jie)》,朱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)熹(xi)十分欣慰(wei),《同安(an)志》稱:“朱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)子嘉之(zhi),令校(xiao)程(cheng)氏語錄升(sheng)曲折訂正(zheng)(zheng)論(lun)(lun)量。朱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)子答書甚悉(xi)”。因此(ci),許順(shun)(shun)之(zhi)不(bu)僅是(shi)(shi)朱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)熹(xi)的得意門生(sheng),而(er)且(qie)是(shi)(shi)朱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)熹(xi)宣(xuan)傳(chuan)儒(ru)學(xue)(xue)(xue),創建(jian)理(li)(li)學(xue)(xue)(xue)的得力助手(shou)。
朱熹從建陽調(diao)任漳州時,許(xu)順(shun)(shun)之(zhi)回同安,回同安后他便(bian)發揮自(zi)己(ji)的(de)(de)(de)特長,以(yi)自(zi)己(ji)的(de)(de)(de)知識發展鄉(xiang)梓教(jiao)(jiao)育。他一方面掌教(jiao)(jiao)同安官學(xue),一方面在(zai)自(zi)己(ji)住家(史稱(cheng)營(ying)城)辦書(shu)(shu)院,名《存(cun)齋(zhai)(zhai)(zhai)書(shu)(shu)院》,“以(yi)教(jiao)(jiao)授生徒為業”,“廣招學(xue)士,培(pei)養雕(diao)逐(zhu)成器之(zhi)才(cai)”。他按朱熹的(de)(de)(de)教(jiao)(jiao)育思想培(pei)養學(xue)生,要求諸生“匆以(yi)干祿(lu)蹈利為事,而應(ying)語圣賢之(zhi)余(yu)旨,究學(xue)問之(zhi)本源,無牽于章(zhang)句,無滯于舊聞。”《存(cun)齋(zhai)(zhai)(zhai)書(shu)(shu)院》在(zai)許(xu)順(shun)(shun)之(zhi)的(de)(de)(de)創辦下,越(yue)辦越(yue)旺,并世代相(xiang)(xiang)傳(chuan)。許(xu)順(shun)(shun)之(zhi)在(zai)自(zi)己(ji)家(營(ying)城)辦書(shu)(shu)院,深得朱熹贊償,朱熹特為他的(de)(de)(de)書(shu)(shu)院題名《存(cun)齋(zhai)(zhai)(zhai)》,還寫了(le)《存(cun)齋(zhai)(zhai)(zhai)記》:“因念(nian)與升相(xiang)(xiang)從,于今六七年,視其學(xue)專(zhuan)用(yong)心于內,而世之(zhi)所屑,一毫不以(yi)介(jie)于其間。竅(qiao)償以(yi)謂生之(zhi)學(xue),有意于呼孟氏所謂存(cun)其心者,于是(shi)以(yi)存(cun)名其齋(zhai)(zhai)(zhai)……。”《八閩通志(zhi).儒林傳(chuan)》、《泉(quan)州志(zhi)》高度評價許(xu)順(shun)(shun)之(zhi)辦學(xue)的(de)(de)(de)事跡。
特(te)別(bie)要指出的(de)(de)是,從(cong)朱(zhu)(zhu)熹“以教(jiao)養為先務”,到(dao)(dao)許(xu)順之(zhi)等名人辦書(shu)院(yuan)(時(shi)同(tong)安(an)(an)有社學(xue)九所),同(tong)安(an)(an)從(cong)此(ci)進(jin)入(ru)一個“興(xing)文育(yu)(yu)賢(xian)”的(de)(de)文明時(shi)期,成為“閩學(xue)開宗之(zhi)地”。據史料統計(ji),宋(song)代受朱(zhu)(zhu)熹、許(xu)順之(zhi)等教(jiao)育(yu)(yu)影(ying)響較深(shen)的(de)(de)同(tong)安(an)(an),科(ke)舉考(kao)(kao)試(shi)進(jin)士從(cong)唐代2人上升(sheng)到(dao)(dao)52人,特(te)別(bie)是明代科(ke)舉考(kao)(kao)試(shi)以“四書(shu)五經”為內容,解釋以朱(zhu)(zhu)熹的(de)(de)注(zhu)為依據,同(tong)安(an)(an)進(jin)士一躍(yue)為92人,占全國進(jin)士3.74%,當時(shi)流傳“閩之(zhi)文學(xue)以漳(zhang)泉為最(zui),而漳(zhang)泉尤以同(tong)安(an)(an)為最(zui),蓋因朱(zhu)(zhu)子過化(hua),文風日(ri)盛耳”。
淳(chun)熙十(shi)一年(1184年)十(shi)二月十(shi)二日,許(xu)順之(zhi)因操勞過度,不(bu)(bu)幸在家病(bing)世,享年只(zhi)有(you)四十(shi)四歲。噩耗(hao)傳開,閩人為(wei)(wei)之(zhi)震驚,朱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)熹(xi)聽(ting)到(dao)(dao)噩耗(hao),專(zhuan)門派人送了祭(ji)禮,并寫一篇《祭(ji)文》懷念順之(zhi)。此(ci)后(hou),朱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)熹(xi)在漳州(zhou)任(ren)太守期間,多次(ci)到(dao)(dao)同(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)安(an)(an)(an)(an)特意看望順之(zhi)家,并重(zhong)新(xin)為(wei)(wei)順之(zhi)擇墓(mu)地于西安(an)(an)(an)(an)橋西側。據史料整理(li),朱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)熹(xi)在他的(de)(de)言論(lun)集及(ji)論(lun)著中有(you)十(shi)多處提及(ji)許(xu)順之(zhi),勉勵后(hou)人以順之(zhi)為(wei)(wei)楷模,“以正自栽”。許(xu)順之(zhi)是朱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)熹(xi)創立(li)理(li)學(xue)的(de)(de)助手,不(bu)(bu)僅朱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)熹(xi)推崇和(he)喜歡(huan),歷(li)(li)來頗受人們(men)崇拜(bai),歷(li)(li)代文人志(zhi)士紛(fen)紛(fen)撰(zhuan)文贊頌,同(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)安(an)(an)(an)(an)歷(li)(li)代縣令蒞(li)同(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)時都(dou)到(dao)(dao)許(xu)順之(zhi)墓(mu)前(qian)致祭(ji),尊其(qi)“講道(dao)考亭,奧旨(zhi)心醉”。縣令劉汝楠撰(zhuan)《重(zhong)修宋(song)儒許(xu)存齋先生墓(mu)道(dao)碑(bei)》推其(qi)"為(wei)(wei)鄉(xiang)先正,觀(guan)風承流"。同(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)安(an)(an)(an)(an)為(wei)(wei)朱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)子與許(xu)順之(zhi)的(de)(de)答問(wen)所(suo)編《大同(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)集》,謂“此(ci)先賢遺墨,不(bu)(bu)可片言只(zhi)字泯沒。先賢至教,不(bu)(bu)使(shi)一言一句不(bu)(bu)傳”,“發前(qian)圣之(zhi)微旨(zhi),足為(wei)(wei)后(hou)學(xue)之(zhi)印證。”也因許(xu)順之(zhi)的(de)(de)“理(li)學(xue)品(pin)望,師表群倫”,其(qi)事跡入編《八閩通志(zhi)》《儒林(lin)傳》、《泉州(zhou)志(zhi)》、《同(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)安(an)(an)(an)(an)志(zhi)》,在同(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)安(an)(an)(an)(an)的(de)(de)文明(ming)發展史上留下光彩(cai)的(de)(de)一頁。(許(xu)初水)