The actions we have done will stick with the mind

“…This path of practise, whether it is being generous, maintaining virtue, sitting in meditation, or developing insight meditation is wholly the responsibility of the mind and not the body. When the body dies, the actions we have done will stick with the mind. When the mind obtains a new body, it can pick up where it left off without having to start all over again from the beginning.

People who have enjoyed giving in the past will continue to enjoy giving after taking a new birth. People who value maintaining virtue will continue to maintain their virtue after being born again. People who meditate a lot will continue to sit in meditation. People who have contemplated impermanence, suffering, and not-self in this life will continue in the same manner in the next life, without needing anyone to teach them, because it is already part of their character.

This is similar to how we use our dominant hand: If our right hand is dominant, then in our next life we will continue to use the right hand. If our left hand is dominant, we will continue to use the left hand.

These habitual tendencies are attached to the mind. The things we have always done become habits that form our character. If we enjoy drinking alcohol and have always done so in the past, then when we are born in this life we will again drink when given the chance.

If we have gambled in the past, we will continue to gamble again when given the opportunity. If we are used to going out at night, we will continue to do so when the opportunity arises. If we have killed animals or people before, we will do so again when we can. If we are used to stealing, committing sexual misconduct, lying, or drinking alcohol, then when the opportunity presents itself we will do so again right away because these actions have become habits similar to our instinctive use of either our left or right hand.

These habits become second nature and do not die along with the body, but stay with the mind, which is what we call merit or demerit. If the things that we do are harmful to others, it is called demerit. If the things that we do benefit others, it is called merit. Merit and demerit, skilful and unskilful habits, affect the minds of all sentient beings…”

By Ajaan Suchart Abhijāto