法

Core sense: A standard or model used as a benchmark for measurement or alignment.

Semantic tracks:

1. Administrative/Legal: Rules, regulations, or statutes; the objective instrument of governance.

2. Methodological/Technical: A method, technique, formula, or "the way of doing" something. In occult contexts (法術), this refers to the operational mechanics of the unseen world.

3. Cosmological/Buddhist: Used for //Dharma//, encompassing Universal Law, Truth, the teachings of the Buddha, and the nature of reality.

• Noun: Law, method, standard.
• Verb: To regulate; to treat according to a standard; to model oneself after.

In early political texts, 法 generally denotes an overarching principle or general rule, while 律 (lǜ) tends to refer specifically to the penal code and its associated punishments.

Etymologically linked to the concept of leveling (water) and precise measurement.

Avoid the reflex to translate every instance as "law." The translator should determine if the context invokes a ruler's standard (Legal), a craftsman's method (Technical), or a cosmic truth (Buddhist).