In Jainism:

• Upādān (Upadan): the real, material/intrinsic cause. Change happens mainly because of a thing’s own substance and inner state (bhāva). Examples: clay is the upādān of a pot; the seed itself is the upādān of a sprout; in sādhanā, the soul’s own purity is the upādān of liberation.

• Nimitta (Nimit): the external, auxiliary or instrumental cause that helps a change but cannot produce it by itself. Examples: the potter, wheel and stick are nimitta for the pot; water, sunlight and soil are nimitta for the sprout; Guru, scriptures and satsang are nimitta for right-faith.

Key point: “Nimitta sadā nirdosh” — the nimitta is always blameless. Results come from one’s own upādān (inner dispositions and karma maturity); external factors only assist.

Both Śvetāmbara and Digambara traditions accept this causation: upādān is primary; nimitta is secondary/auxiliary. The wording may vary, but the meaning is the same in essence.

For simple illustrations on nimitta–upādān and “nimitta sadā nirdosh,” see this reference: and a related concept note on modes (paryāya) that underlies change: