พระอาจารย์อธิบายว่าชาติที่แล้วเปรียบเหมือนเมื่อวาน การระลึกชาติได้ตั้งแต่ยังเยาว์ทำให้รู้ต้นสายและประกอบเหตุสืบต่อได้ ไม่ต้องเสียเวลาเริ่มใหม่ พร้อมยกตัวอย่างการที่หลวงพ่อสร้างรูปหล่อทองคำของหลวงปู่เพื่อให้ผู้คนเกิดคำถามและใฝ่หาคำตอบPra Ajarn explains that a past life is like yesterday — recalling past lives from an early age lets one know where one left off and continue the work without starting over, illustrated by how Luang Phor cast golden images of the grandmaster so that people would wonder and seek out the answer.
Someone asked: why is it good to recall past lives from an early age?
A Past Life Is Like Yesterday
A past life is like yesterday. Whatever work we left unfinished yesterday, today we know it and can continue; whatever mistakes occurred, we know them. Knowing and not knowing differ. Without knowing, we don't know how to begin or continue — which is very hard. But knowing what we strove for in the past life, we understand why we strive at this now.
Like Luang Phor Casting Golden Images, to Prompt Questions
It's like Luang Phor casting golden images of the grandmaster in various places. He said it was so that people would wonder and take notice: why must this person be cast in gold, and in so many images? They would then go study and inquire to find the answer. Once the question 'why' arises, one wants the reason. In the same way, recalling past lives makes one ask why, life after life, one has continued doing this.
Recalling From an Early Age Saves Starting Over
Each life we continue the work. In childhood, parents teach us to give, keep precepts, meditate, and study the ; growing up, we study on our own, ordain, and practice. If a child can recall past lives, they'll know the causes and effects and can continue the work from the previous life. Without knowing, one proceeds as one who doesn't know — and if dominates or the neutral has strength, one is led into endless idle amusement, and by the time one comes to one's senses, one is already old. But recalling past lives from youth, one knows the origin and can continue studying the same matters from a young age, without much wasted time.