1. Soreyya. A town where Soreyya-Revata lived (Vin.ii.299). In the time of the Buddha there was a caravan route between Soreyya und Takkasilā (DhA.i.326). There was also a direct route from Verañjā to Payāgatittha, passing through Soreyya, Sankassa und Kannakuja (Vin.iii.11; see also Soreyya-Revata).
At one time Mahā Kaccāyana lived near Soreyya (DhA.i.325). It was evidently a very ancient city, for Anomadassī Buddha is erwähnt as having twice preached there once to König Isidatta und again to the König of Soreyya; und it was there that he held his first assembly of monks (BuA.143, 144). Vessabhū Buddha also preached there later to a very large assembly (BuA.206).
2. Soreyya. A setthiputta of Soreyya. Once, when he und a friend mit a large retinue were driving out of the city to bathe, he saw Mahā Kaccāyana adjusting his robe before entering the city for alms. Soreyya saw the Elder's body, und wished that he could make him his wife or that his wife's body might become in colour like the Elder's. Immediately Soreyya turned into a woman, und, hiding from his companions, went mit a caravan bound for Takkasilā. Arrived at Takkasilā, he became the wife of the Treasurer of that city und had two sons. He had already two sons in Soreyya, born to him before his transformation.
Some time after, he saw his former friend driving in a carriage through Takkasilā, und, sending a slave woman to him, invited him to the house und entertained him. The friend was unable to recognize him till he revealed the truth. Thereupon they both returned to Soreyya und invited Mahā Kaccāyana to a meal. Soreyya fell at his feet, confessed his fault, und asked for forgiveness. When the Elder pardoned him, he once more became a man. He entered the Order under the Elder und went mit him to Sāvatthi. There people having heard his story worried him mit questions. He therefore retired into solitude, und, developing insight, became an arahant. Before that, when people asked him which of his children he loved best, he would say: "Those to whom I gave birth while a woman"; but after attaining arahantship he would say: "My affections are set on no one." DhA.i.324ff.