<p>This is a limitation of we who inhabit a three-dimensional world IMHO. We are not aware of other dimensions, and do not have the ability to see past existences because of the limitations of our physical senses. We experience only a very small part of reality, the three-dimensional world of physical forms.  But also we could quite rightly say that we humans live in a four dimensional world; in other words, humans are aware of four dimensions -three dimensions of space plus time.</p>

<p>This is why we see only two realms (human and animal) out of the other realms of existence like that of Pretha, Deva and Brahma. Of the newest scientific theories, the M-theory says that ours is a 11-dimensional universe, even though we can see only four dimensions (including time). So Prethas live amongst us, but they live in a differnet dimensional world.</p>

<p>Our consciousness (vinnana) is not like that of an Arahant. Ours is contaminated by defilements. This our awareness is not pure; it is like looking though a foggy window. But it is not so for some Arahant who got to open the divine eye in them. Twenty five hundred years ago, the Buddha achieved the ultimate state of the mind and became “all knowing” (or “perfectly conscious”). He came to know about the boundless universe, the endless cycle of rebirths, and about the complex process of cause and effect (paticca samuppada) which sustains everything in the universe.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-13T13:25:31.647Z
I understood it pretty well. May the noble triple gem bless you.
Amaani
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-30T03:40:04.260Z
2017-04-30T03:40:04.260Z
Saptha Visuddhi
<p>Well, I do know that Deva and Brahma could look into their past life but it doesn't mean that they remember everything just right they were born. Just like Deva and Brahma, we could look into our past life. </p>

<p>As for Peta, I'm not sure whether if Peta could look into their past life. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-13T13:24:49.677Z
There are stories about Pretha telling about their past lives in 'Pretha vasthu'
Amaani
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-14T16:20:05.623Z
Okay, i'm going to check on petavatthu.
LomX
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-07T16:44:46.840Z
2017-05-07T16:44:46.840Z
LomX
<p>I have read that there are few reasons, when the child is in the mother's womb, it forgets the precious birth. One I recall clearly is shock. </p>

<p>(Such as from a big jolt of loud noise)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-30T08:20:27.533Z
2017-04-30T08:20:27.533Z
Ravindranath Akila
<p>As per the scriptures, lower being such as pretha &amp; higher beings such as deva &amp; Brahma remembers their early life. But in case of humans, only rare incidents are reported in remembering the past life. What is the cause of this?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-30T05:06:20.157Z
In cultures where reincarnation is widely accepted, children report their memories and it is not an uncommon thing.
drolmal
<rebirth><samsara>
Memory about the past life
# Memory about the past life

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-04-29)

As per the scriptures, lower being such as pretha & higher beings such as deva & Brahma remembers their early life. But in case of humans, only rare incidents are reported in remembering the past life. What is the cause of this?

**Tags:** rebirth, samsara

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: In cultures where reincarnation is widely accepted, children report their memories and it is not an uncommon thing.  

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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-04-30. Score: 1

This is a limitation of we who inhabit a three-dimensional world IMHO. We are not aware of other dimensions, and do not have the ability to see past existences because of the limitations of our physical senses. We experience only a very small part of reality, the three-dimensional world of physical forms. But also we could quite rightly say that we humans live in a four dimensional world; in other words, humans are aware of four dimensions -three dimensions of space plus time.

This is why we see only two realms (human and animal) out of the other realms of existence like that of Pretha, Deva and Brahma. Of the newest scientific theories, the M-theory says that ours is a 11-dimensional universe, even though we can see only four dimensions (including time). So Prethas live amongst us, but they live in a differnet dimensional world.

Our consciousness (vinnana) is not like that of an Arahant. Ours is contaminated by defilements. This our awareness is not pure; it is like looking though a foggy window. But it is not so for some Arahant who got to open the divine eye in them. Twenty five hundred years ago, the Buddha achieved the ultimate state of the mind and became “all knowing” (or “perfectly conscious”). He came to know about the boundless universe, the endless cycle of rebirths, and about the complex process of cause and effect (paticca samuppada) which sustains everything in the universe.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I understood it pretty well. May the noble triple gem bless you.  

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### Answer by username_3 on 2017-05-07. Score: 0

Well, I do know that Deva and Brahma could look into their past life but it doesn't mean that they remember everything just right they were born. Just like Deva and Brahma, we could look into our past life.

As for Peta, I'm not sure whether if Peta could look into their past life.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: There are stories about Pretha telling about their past lives in 'Pretha vasthu'  
> **username_3**: Okay, i'm going to check on petavatthu.  

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### Answer by username_4 on 2017-04-30. Score: 0

I have read that there are few reasons, when the child is in the mother's womb, it forgets the precious birth. One I recall clearly is shock.

(Such as from a big jolt of loud noise)


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