Experiential
The main experience within Buddhism is enlightenment or nirvana. Nirvana is the ultimate goal of Buddhism and is achieved through the Eightfold Path. The enlightened individual, or arhat, is awakened and forever transformed. The arhat is free from tanha, or selfish desire, and thus, dukkha, or the disorder and suffering that tanha causes. The arhat has found the truth of anatta, or "no-self." The arhat has separated from any sense of individual existence and achieved spiritual perfection. The arhat is still engaged in the world, but no longer attached to those engagements and also perfects the virtues of compassion, friendliness, joy, and even-mindedness. Although, nirvana differs from the enlightenment of other religions, such as moksha in Hinduism, because the arhat is still living and is supposed to go out and help others achieve nirvana while he/she awaits the death of the body. This thus made Buddhism the first missionary religion. All of these things are true of nirvana and attempt to describe it, but Buddhists themselves say that it is impossible to truly describe the experience of nirvana.
Mythic/Historical
The main historical component of Buddhism is the story of the Buddha. Most of the Buddha's story is only know through legend that has been passed through generations. The Buddha's original name was Siddhartha Gautama and was a wealthy prince. He was born about 560 BC and, according to tradition, was destined to be either a king of all people or a Buddha. Gautama lived a luxurious life being pampered by his father. His father attempted to shield him from the harsh realities of life, but Gautama witnessed them first hand in what is known as the four passing sights. Gautama was traveling the countryside when he passed an old, decrepit man and was disturbed by the sight of old age. He then passed a diseased man and was again deeply disturbed. He then passed a corpse and was more devastated than before. Finally, the last sight of the ascetic gave him hope as it was a means of overcoming the despair he experienced. He immediately decided to go out on his own to achieve enlightenment known as the Great Going Forth. He came upon five men who practiced asceticism and Gautama joined them. He nearly killed himself by living on so little food. After having experienced extreme luxury and extreme poverty, he developed what is known as the Middle Way. The Middle Way avoids extreme asceticism and extreme luxury. The Middle Way eventually lead Gautama to nirvana, making him the Buddha. After he was enlightened, he was compelled to not sit in his bliss, but to help others achieve it, and that's what the rest of his life was dedicated to, which established Buddhism as a missionary religion.
Doctrinal
One important doctrine in Buddhism is that of the Middle Way, which as stated before, rejects both the pleasures of sensual indulgence and the self-denial of asceticism. The Middle Way instead focuses on a practical approach while maintaining a healthy body and healthy mind. Another important doctrine is the Three Marks of Existence: anatta, anicca, and dukkha. Anatta literally means "no-self." Anatta describes the belief of Buddhists that rather than trying to find the true essence of the self, they attempt to find no self; they attempt to realize there is no ultimate reality or essence within the self. Anicca states that all existent things are constantly changing. No person or thing is ever the same as it was a moment ago; in a way all things are dying and being reborn every moment. Finally, dukkha is the doctrine that suffering is inevitably part of the human condition. One must achieve nirvana in order to be freed from dukkha. The last main doctrine of Buddhism is the four noble truths. the first noble truth is that to live is to suffer. This is closely related to dukkha in how Buddhists realize that suffering is inherent to the human condition. The next truth is that suffering is caused by desire, or tanha. In order to overcome suffering, one must first overcome desire. The third truth is that suffering can be brought to cessation. The solution, and the fourth truth, to suffering is the Eightfold Path.
Ethical
The main ethical rules of Buddhism are laid out in the Five Precepts: do not take life, do not take what is not given, do not engage in sensuous misconduct, do not use false speech, and do not drink intoxicants. These five precepts apply to all Buddhists, but there are several more added on for monks and nuns: do not eat after noon, do not watch dancing or shows, do not use garlands, perfumes, or ornaments, do not use a high or soft bed, and do not accept gold or silver. These precepts thus define how a Buddhist ought to act and how they ought live in order to live ethically. Additionally, Buddhist morality focuses on intention rather than action. For example, if one has the intention of shooting a deer but misses, it's still immoral. On the other hand, if one accidentally kills a deer with a car, it's not immoral. The Eightfold Path also describes how one ought to live in order to achieve nirvana. The 8 steps of the path are right views, or learning Buddhist teaching; right intentions, or abandoning evil attitudes and nurturing good attitudes, right speech, or avoiding gossip, lying, abusive talk, and idle talk; right conduct, or living morally; right livelihood, or abstaining from occupations that harm living beings; right effort, or maintaining mental alertness; right mindfulness, or developing mental focus needed for meditation; and, finally, right meditation, or ascending through four levels of trance to ultimately achieve perfect tranquility.
Ritual
There are many rituals specific to different divisions of Buddhism such as within Mahayana Buddhism, they perform several acts of ritual worship and prayers to the bodhisattvas, or Buddhas who could achieve enlightenment, but stop just short to help other get there. Within Vajrayana, or Tibetan Buddhism, they ritually chant mandalas (patterned icons that visually excite) and use mudras (choreographed hand movements that draw on the energies of movement) to enhance meditation. A more universal ritual aspect of Buddhism is simply that of meditation. Buddhists practice right meditation in order to achieve nirvana.
Social
One important social aspect of Hinduism is the Sangha. The Sangha is the Buddhist community of monks and nuns and is one of the the three Jewels of Buddhism. This community is a way that Buddhists committed to achieving nirvana can help each other reach that goal. The figure of the arhat is also important to the social dimension of Buddhism. The arhat is enlightened, but also supposed to help others reach that enlightenment, thus, they act as a somewhat of a teacher for the Buddhist community. Finally, an important social aspect of Tibetan Buddhism is the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is both the spiritual and political leader of the Tibetan Buddhists and is believed to be the reincarnation of the Buddha. Although, as of right now, the Tibetans have been exiled from Tibet by the Chinese and are seeking refuge in India.
Material
As spoken of before, the mandalas can also be considered material, since they are visually exciting icons. The bodhi tree is also an important material aspect of Buddhism. Bodhi tree literally means tree of enlightenment. It is believed that Gautama achieved enlightenment underneath a bodhi tree, thus, they are quite sacred. For the Tibetan Buddhists, a material aspect of Buddhism could be considered Tibet, their homeland. The Buddhist people have been exiled and the Dalai Lama continues to work for peace with China so that they may go back to their native lands. Finally, the monasteries that the Buddhist monks live and meditate within could also be considered a material aspect of the faith.
True and Holy
One true and holy aspect of Buddhism is the emphasis put on simply being aware in meditation. Many Christians tend to constantly talk during prayer and never take the time to listen to God. Thus, Christians could learn from the Buddhist by listening more and taking time to simply be aware of God's presence. Another true and holy aspect of Buddhism are the Five Precepts. They are quite similar to the Ten Commandments and many can be applied to the life of Christians as well. The precepts for nuns and monks are less applicable however. The Four Noble Truths also hold some truth and holiness. It is true that we suffer, just as Jesus did when he was on earth. It's also true that suffering is caused by desire, or sin. The only difference is that the solution to suffering is not the Eightfold Path for Christians, but it's God.