what is dharma in buddhism

Dharma is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion, and it has multiple meanings in Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism. In Buddhism, dharma refers to the teachings of the Buddha, which help to bring individuals from their current state of confusion and unhappiness to a state of enlightenment. The Buddhas teachings express the true nature of reality, lead to the development of good qualities, and accurately represent the constituent elements of the universe, how they operate, and how they affect the religious life. The truths that the Buddha revealed are called Dharma, and they include the Middle Way, the Four Noble Truths, and the Eightfold Noble Path. The Dharma is one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism in which practitioners of Buddhism seek refuge, or that upon which one relies for his or her lasting happiness. The Dharma is based on logic and asks individuals to look at their minds and everything they experience realistically. It is not dogmatic, requiring a belief in a god or gods, but rather asks individuals to question everything with logic.