Do any Hindu scriptures say that Hinduism is not a religion but simply a way of life?

Question

I have seen in many answers here that a lot of people have this notion that Hinduism is a way of life (as opposed to a well-defined religion. I find this notion amusing because I think Hinduism is just opposite.

All the Abrahamic religions are ideal way of life religion because ethical and moral activities are governed by the scriptures like what to eat and how to pray, when to pray.

Do any Hindu scriptures say that Hinduism is a way of life?

Answer 1

I find this notion amusing because I think Hinduism is just opposite.

Yes, what you think is right.

So, no Hindu scriptures say that Hinduism is just a way of life.

But. having said that i need a more precise definition of- way of life vs religion.

If way of life means something like - not much restrictions, plenty of options to choose from, no clear cut instructions as regards what to do and what not to do, how to lead a righteous life as per Dharma and what to be shunned as unrighteous, etc then that's not true.

All scriptures like the Smritis, PurAnas and the Tantras are full of SadAchAra principles and Dharma-Adharama Nirupunam (determination of what's righteous and what's not).

What to be eaten, what not be eaten, how to eat, which mantras to chant before commencing the act of eating etc are also laid down quite elaborately in the aforementioned scriptures.

So, the answer to your currently poised question is No. But there's no way of proving that no.

Also, upon seeing one of your comments under the question, it seemed to me, that you are of the impression, that Vedas don't talk about righteous-unrighteous, moral-immoral at all. Then, that is not true.

I have collected few mantras from the Atharva Veda:

The path of truth should be followed:

rtasya panthAm anupashya sAdhu

.....

O sAdhu, look (inside) and follow the path of truth.

AV 18.4.3

One should always speak the truth and not falsehood; one should speak pleasantly:

Satyam vakshyAmi na anrtam

...

I will speak truth always, not falsehood.

AV 4.9.7

Madhumatim vAcham udeyam

....

If you speak, speak only pleasantly.

AV 16.2.2

Money should only be earned by legal means:

RamantAm punyA lakshmir, yAh pApih tA aninasham

.....

The person enjoys who gets his money by honest means, the evil one who gets his money by evil means is surely going to be destroyed.

AV 7.115.4

Further mantras are there which can be produced to prove my point. So, DharmAdharma Nirupunam, SadAchAra principles are found in the Vedas too, but not as elaborately as they are found in some of the later-day scriptures.

NOTE- Whenever AV appears in my answer it denotes Atharva Veda.

Answer 2

Source

The term "Hindu" was mostly coined by non-Hindus to refer the people staying around "Sindhu" river. Orthodox scriptures may not be aware of the term "Hinduism", as they were written much before.

Supreme court of India has declared "Hinduism", as a "way of life", due to lack of reference for being a religion. Lately, Indian PM has reckoned the same sentiment.

Verdict: “We will not go into the larger debate as to what is Hindutva or what is its meaning. We will not re-consider the 1995 judgment and also not examine Hindutva or religion at this stage. At this stage, we will confine ourselves to the issue raised before us in the reference. In the reference, there is no mention of the word ‘Hindutva’. If anybody will show that there is a reference to the word ‘Hindutva’, we will hear him. We will not go into Hindutva at this stage,”

Similarities with other religions

"Hinduism" generally refers to collection of cultures, evolved in Indian subcontinent. It has several Dharma-shAstra-s like "Manusmriti" & its derivations like MahAbhArata's "AnusAsana Parva" or even modern day "ChAnakya-niti". Veda-s are the foundation of these scriptures.

Any Dharma-shAstra, basically describes a way of life. i.e. it shows what is Dharma (do-able duty). Similar localised Dharma-shAstra-s are found for Abrahamic religions like Judaism, Christianity, Islam also -- which describe what to do and what not do in their societies.

Still not a religion itself

religion = a particular system of faith and worship.

While other religions typically believe in certain singular aspect of God, the "Hinduism" (overall culture) defers on that. People are free to believe in whichever God/Guru they want and they are also free to believe in none of them. Yet they can be practising Hindu.

However Hinduism is surely collection of several religions, which are equivalent to Abrahamic religions. For example, Vaishnava-s believe in supremacy of Vishnu, Shaivaites in Shiva, Devi-worshippers in Devi-s and various other Ishta-Deva-s are also famous. There are numerous belief systems, which are separate religions.

Term "way of life" is not something special

Referring it as a "way of life" is neither a matter of pride nor a matter of disgrace. It's just a term. Since the number of devotees of numerous Indian faiths, are relatively smaller in size & vicinity, all these religions are collected under the umbrella of Hinduism.

Buddhism & Jainism are also similar to Hinduism in that way. Their core philosophies are not particular to any single God, but devotees create their own Gods/faiths out of these philosophies.

Once Islam, Christianity will start evolving like Hinduism, they may also become "way of life". For example, Islam is already having so many sects like Sunni, Shia, Wahabi, Sufi, Vohra, & many more...

Answer 3

No But yes it is I meant to say that Hinduism is without ram Krishna and buddha and without kalki and finally no hayagreeva fight with matsya