In Jainism, “nimitt” (or nimitta) means:

1. Instrumental / external cause

• It is the outside factor that helps something to happen.
• It never works independently; it only helps what is already present inside to come out.

2. Always secondary, not main cause Jain philosophy clearly distinguishes:

• Upādān (Upadan) = main / real / inner cause
• Nimitt = supporting / helping / outer cause

Examples:

• A pot is made from clay →

- Clay = upadan (real cause) - Potter, wheel, stick = nimitt (instrumental causes)

• A sprout grows from a seed →

- Seed = upadan - Water, soil, sunlight = nimitt

• In spiritual life:

- Your own soul’s effort and purity = upadan - Guru, scriptures, satsang = nimitt

So in Jainism:

> “Nimitt sadā nirdosh” – The nimitt is always blameless. > We should not blame people or situations (nimitt); > the real reason is our own karma and inner state (upadan).

Both Śvetāmbara and Digambara accept this basic idea:

• Upadan = primary cause
• Nimitt = secondary/helper cause

You can read a simple explanation of nimitt–upadan here and examples of “nimitt sadā nirdosh” here .