Dear Nina and friends,

thanks for pointing that out.

--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, nina van gorkom wrote:
> 12. Udaka.m otaritvaa vatthaani dhovitu.m rajako putta.m pakkosati.
> The washerman calls (his) son to descend into the water and wash
clothes.
N: I am somewhat puzzled. Can it be: After the washerman has
descended into the water to wash the clothes he calls his son. ?
Y: I actually had something similar: Having descended into the water
to wash clothes, the washerman calls (his) son. We can also have
the 'gerund' form: Descending into the water to wash clothes, the
washerman calls (his) son. What I have put up is the model answer
from Key to Pali Primer. I think the problem is whether the
absolutive 'otaritvaa' belongs to 'rajako' or 'putta.m'. I would
appreciate more help for that.

While browsing the web for information, I found an interesting site:
Gerund or Infinitive? An Interactive Quiz.
http://esl.about.com/library/weekly/aa090999.htm

> 13. Tathaagata.m passitvaa vanditu.m upaasako vihaara.m pavisati.
> The lay devotee enters the monastery to see and pay respect to the
Buddha.
N: Can it be : After the lay devotee has seen the Buddha, he enters
the monastery to pay respect to him.
Y: I am not sure about this. Here, we are certain that the subject
for 'passitvaa' is 'upaasako'. However, the mystery is
whether 'passitvaa' an action before 'pavisati' -- sees the Buddha
and enters the monastery, or before 'vanditu.m' -- to see the Buddha
and worship (him). I hope someone would provide some guidance here.

metta,
Yong Peng