Hinduism- a religion or the way of life?

Answer 1

a way of life, of thoughts

Answer 2

It is a way of life! But when hardliners talk of Hinduism , they are definitely not discussing this scientific way of life. Besides now with changes in lifestyle , healthy living has gone for a tailspin . Everyone now shares the same way of living irrespective of ones religion. The most peculiar and outstanding feature of Hinduism is that a Hindu can not be defined. One who is neither a Christian, nor a Jew, nor Mohammedan etc is a Hindu. In fact the narrow definition of word 'religion ' has created this dilemma. And this debate is bound to continue for ever.

Answer 3

Every given belief system has influence on the followers individual and social behavior. ( Individual lifestyle, Marriage, family life and norms of Social interactions )

Hinduism ( Sanatan Dharma - The Eternal Righteous Path ) is no different.

The argument that it is not a religion but a way of life was put forth by those who wanted to convert Hindus to their belief system.

In fact the depth and breadth of the philosophical base of Hinduism can hardly be matched by other belief systems.

Hinduism in the real sense of the term is a Religion. A vast majority of the so called 'Religions' are mere belief systems.

Answer 4

"ism" is related to a cult but Hinduism is not a cult as there is not one cult leader. There are more than 180 interpretations of GEETA and everyone is right in his/her own way. Its not a religion also as religion is based on 100% faith and in Hinduism just like in GEETA every opinion of Lord Krishna can be explained as Way Of Living a happy life. So Hinduism is a way of living and not a religion.

Answer 5

Hinduism was always a way of life for spiritual and material fulfillment. When other religions started cropping. This ancient way of life was named as Hinduism.

Answer 6

hinduism is more a way of life than just a religion.

Answer 7

hello Ravishankerji, i'm nandakishore. Hinduism is not just a religion, it is the way of life, which taught the world, how to lead the life. it is the one of the oldest & more evolved. Through this we learn how to get salvation & how we can achieve something in life.

Answer 8

Hinduism is a way of life created by human for their convenience and created as religion ultimately for the benefit of human. A system created by our ancestors to lead a smooth life for the generation to come

Answer 9

Hinduism is a perpetual way of good living in resonance with Nature.
Therefore it could be termed as a way of Life.

To spread the findings of " ways of good living", our ancient scientists, dharma-Gurus and Leaders introduces these methods in terms of Religious Rites and through different kinds of religious acts, which was well accepted by majority of our society. So it became part of our religion, The Hindu Religion, or the Hindu Way of Living.

Answer 10

I'm Hindu and I'll answer your question.

It's a religion. The oldest of all infact.

We believes in our way, but in almost every way we're not allowed to be a fanatics. You can follow Hindu's way without being a Hindu. Like doing Yoga or Samadhi (meditation). It's just a couple example of so many.

Maybe that's why some peoples think it's a way of life. Namaste.

Answer 11

Actually there is no religion by name Hinduism, because there is no person by name "Hindu" who found Hinduism, just like Christ found the Christianity or Buddha found Buddhism.

Moreover, the word Hindu is not found anywhere in the Vedas.
Persions while invading Bharata(India), called the inhabitants there as Hindus(mispronouncing the river Sindhu as Hindu) meaning people living along the river Sindhu. Therefore, Hindu is
is a misnomer referring to a practitioners of a religion by name Hinduism. But, any way it can be used in a conventional way.

The actual religion given by the Veda is called Sanatana Dharma.
See the Introduction to Bhagavad-gita-As-It-Is,
by A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of ISKCON(International Society for Krishna Consciousness)
Yet man professes to belong to a particular type of faith with reference to particular time and circumstance and thus claims to be a Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist or any other sect. Such designations are non-sanatana-dharma. A Hindu may change his faith to become a Muslim, or a Muslim may change his faith to become a Hindu, or a Christian may change his faith and so on. But in all circumstances the change of religious faith does not effect the eternal occupation of rendering service to others. The Hindu, Muslim or Christian in all circumstances is servant of someone. Thus, to profess a particular type of sect is not to profess one’s sanatana-dharma. The rendering of service is sanatana-dharma.

Factually we are related to the Supreme Lord in service. The Supreme Lord is the supreme enjoyer, and we living entities are His servitors. We are created for His enjoyment, and if we participate in that eternal enjoyment with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, we become happy. We cannot become happy otherwise. It is not possible to be happy independently, just as no one part of the body can be happy without cooperating with the stomach. It is not possible for the living entity to be happy without rendering transcendental loving service unto the Supreme Lord.