Nepal Pilgrimage

In the centuries after Buddha's death 3 main Buddhism streams developed because different schools had different opinion on the early scriptures and orally preserved wisdom from Śākyamuni (the Buddha). Buddhism  before the division into verious branches is called pre-sectarian Buddhism.

Theravada Buddhism;

Theravada Buddhism which means teaching of the elders is a pure and conservative Buddhism form which goal is the enlightment of you as an individual and includes the Vipassana Meditation. Theravada Buddhist follow the scriptures of the Pali Canon as it was written down during the fourth Buddhist council 29 BCE in Sri Lanka. They believe that living beings suffer because they cling or attach to experiences and sensations as if they are a part of themselves, while its actually just a chain of reactions, thoughts and sensations that come and go and there for aren't a part of the I or self. Suffering ends at the moment that a living being fully understands this concept and just watch these chain of reactions as an observer. Theravada Buddhism is the earliest branch and is now widely spread in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Burma; Laos. In India this form is later replaced with the Islam and Hinduism. The Dutch brought Theravada back to Sri Lanka from Thailand

Mahayana Buddhism;

The Mahayana (meaning the Great Vehicle) branch also named Bodhisattvayāna tries to achieve peace and enlightment for all living beings. Mahayana buddhism developed from the 1st century a.d. and is spread in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam. Zen Buddhism is a part of Mahayana Buddhism. It's the biggest branch of Buddhism

Vajrayana / Tibetan Buddhism;

Vajrayana sometimes called Tantric Buddhism is a mix of Mahayana Buddhism and old tantric and siberian bön faith. Tibetan Buddhism is said to be found by Padma Sambhava (Guru Rinpoche).

At the moment there are five streams or sects in Tibetan Buddhism: Nyingma (the oldest sect), Kagyu, Sakya, Gelug and the recently rediscovered sect of Jonang.

Source:

Born in Nepal; A Miscellany of Buddhist Sories, Legends and Traditions - Susan Höivik
Mahayana Wikipedia

Pali Canon Wikipedia

Nyingma Wikipedia