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After a fashion, sects disappear anyway. But lemme try to help where I can with the few I know anything about. 3nodding

If you're more into heavy intellectualism, leaning towards a more monastic approach, and trying to stick as close to the original Buddhism as possible, try Theravada.

If you're more into compassion towards all things (which includes more emphasis on vegetarianism/vegan food than Theravada, though both often practice it), the lay follower's life with an emphasis on supporting the monastic community and the Bodhisattva vow (along with a slightly more supernatural bent), I suggest Mahayana.

If you really like sitting, walking and doing both while meditating constantly, and living in the now (which is a lot harder than it sounds), I suggest a branch of the Mahayana subset of Zen.

If you're into prayer and the concept of a heaven transition before enlightenment/leaving the rebirth cycle, Jodo might be worth a look. I don't know much about them, but that's what I do know.

I'd start with Theravada, and if you decide the basis they provide isn't enough, branch into Mahayana. 3nodding That way, regardless of which way you go, you have a great grounding in the base of any sect - Theravada scripture is used as the base scripture of Buddhism as a whole, other sects and schools just add to it for clarification purposes.

And yes, you are right about the vegetarianism - in all cases. At least where Theravadan rules are concerned anyway. Many Mahayanans/Tibetans change that rule slightly, claiming vegetarianism is a must for compassion development. Special cases do apply though, such as the Dalai Lama himself - he's not one by virtue of medical dispensation. 3nodding

I'm not much for afterlife in Buddhism - the problem comes in with definitions, and this kind of thing often confuses people. Rebirth is not reincarnation. There is no soul in Buddhism, not a thing to reincarnate. Rebirth is more a karmatic string that, unresolved in this life, causes the rise of a new life that inherits the string. It's kind of like a candle. The first candle you light burns down to a nub, so you use the last sparks of flame to light a new candle. The flame is not the same, the candle is not the same, but a new light has come from an old one. 3nodding Hence, it wouldn't really be you in any case of afterlife - heaven, hell or back here again. biggrin

Anyhow, in order to get a good start on Theravadan basics, if that is where you want to go, I recommend starting in on the Tripitaka (Three Baskets) - http://www.accesstoinsight.org has a wonderful translation project going on, complete with annotations and dharma talks from advanced Buddhist teachers/students where they've been written. There's lots to read, but it's worth it. 3nodding

Edit: Oh! I just remembered where I got my start with sutras, and thought I should pass it on. Check Access to Insight or http://www.buddhanet.net for the Dhammapada! It's a collection of short verses that contain a lot of insight into practice. A fast read, but one I still refer back to constantly, even years later.

As far as I can tell, that's kinda it. But then again, I've not seen it first hand (that I can remember), so my opinion is based on teachings alone. 3nodding