Final answer:
The geographic hearth of Buddhism is near Lumbini, on the border of modern-day Nepal and India, where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, was born in the 5th century B.C.E. After renouncing his princely life and seeking enlightenment, his teachings spread, with Emperor Ashoka's support, across his empire and beyond.
Step-by-step explanation:
The geographic hearth of Buddhism is traditionally identified with the region around Lumbini, which is close to the present-day border between Nepal and India. Siddhartha Gautama, who would become known as the Buddha, was born in this area around the 5th century B.C.E.
The circumstances surrounding the origin of Buddhism involve Siddhartha Gautama's realizations about suffering and his quest for enlightenment. He renounced his princely life after encountering the realities of old age, sickness, and death, and engaged in spiritual practices that led to enlightenment. He taught the Middle Way as the path to enlightenment, a key aspect of his teachings. The Mauryan Emperor Ashoka later played a crucial role in spreading Buddhism by embracing the religion and promulgating its values across his empire.