Importance of Sangha?

Importance of Sangha?

The Sangha is the spiritual community made up of both monastic and lay followers striving to live in accordance with Buddhist principles. Members of the sangha share the joys and challenges of living a spiritual life, encouraging and supporting one another in their endeavors. 

Connecting with a Sangha I am told is an important aspect of Buddhism. But different sects have different belief structures and follow different leaders. The internet of course is flooded with information, and not all of it correct I am sure. The truth is it can all be a bit much when trying to establish a daily practice. I am collecting information about various sects to help me in my practice and hopefully yours.  In the end one does not need to belong to any one sect or only one sect.

Introduction  to Buddhist Sects

Many people think of Buddhism as one religion with one set of beliefs.  But just as Christianity is divided into various churches and sects with a major division of Catholic and Protestant and smaller sects of Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, etc.. Buddhism is also divided into sects with many different beliefs and practices.  Buddhism has major groupings of  Hinayana or Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana.  "Yana" means vehicle.  So each of these is a vehicle to help us along the path toward enlightenment.

Within each of these major groupings there are numerous other groupings such as Zen, Shin, Nichiren, Tibetan, etc. And within these are more groupings such as within Zen are Soto Zen, Rinzai Zen, Chizen-ji, just to name a few.  Although we have common teachings that most groups follow, each has their own interpretations, spiritual leaders, and methods of practice. 

Final Thoughts

My interest are in the Beliefs and Daily Practices of Buddhism. 
Which do you observe and take part in as part of your Buddhist practice?
Is it important as people say to "belong" to a Sangha?
               Of course if I did I wouldn't be asking the internet these questions would I?
           
But I guess that makes you my Sangha. Maybe the best teacher is the one who just listens, leaving you to contemplate and figure things out on your own.