The dharma (almost as difficult to define as Zen) is thought of variously as the Way, the Path, Cosmic Law and Universal Truth. The dharma is often thought of as the teachings of the Buddha, and this is a legitimate view, but it’s important to note that the Buddha didn’t create the dharma; it was always there. While the ethical standards of Buddhism are included, the dharma encompasses far more than that. It is the fundamental spirit underlying Zen and Buddhism.
