ABSTRACT

Hinduism, the third largest religion in the world, represents a collection of beliefs, practices, and ethos that arose in India around 1500 bce. It is rooted in the Vedas and the history of the people of India and connected by sanatana dharma, "eternal duty", which suggests a common orientation toward liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth. The foundation of Hinduism can be traced back to ancient, anonymous Indian sages who claimed to discover the eternal truths. The history of religious development in Hinduism is rather complex due to various contributing factors such as the rise of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, Christianity, and other socio-political developments. The practices of Hinduism are based on the beliefs and teachings of the Vedas. Health beliefs and practices among Hindus may be dated back to 5000 bce when sages searched for solutions to the problem of ill health and disease.