[LorencoLoricelli]

Hi there Magpie,

I've also been exploring Buddhism over the last few years, reading about and visiting various traditions (both Theravada and Mahayana) and I have been given some really good answers for the same questions (so I'll share as best as I can).

For the first question, how to choose, what other people have already said is great. Choose whatever resonates with you! Buddha taught many teachings to many different people. All of these teachings were given as personal advice to either individual people or groups. What he was incredibly wise about was in realizing that different people have different temperaments and are at different stages of the path. As such his teachings are diverse, and the resulting lineages of his teachings are equally as vast. There is a tradition that suits everyone of any temperament at any stage of the path

In the end it is all Dharma, and Dharma is liberating no matter how it is taken (I believe anyway, others might disagree?).

As for your second question, when you choose will you be "stuck" with that tradition?
Well Here I only have my own personal experience to go from. I spent a few years with one tradition while exploring different options (I guess the first one was great, but I felt I needed something a little different), I guess I felt free to roam and explore.
Fairly recently I have found another tradition that particularly resonates with me, and I don't really feel it would be right to keep on wandering. Not because I feel trapped, but rather I feel completely at home with this new tradition. Another important thing is finding a teacher who you can rely on wholeheartedly, Reliance on a teacher is very beneficial for spiritual practice (from my own experience i would personally say that it is critical) and requires a complete trust in the teachings as given from their perspective.

TLDR;
Q1. Buddha's teachings were skillfully given to diverse audiences according to their particular needs. As such, different traditions sprung up from different teachings. Choose what tradition is right for you.

Q2. If you can find a tradition and a teacher that you can wholeheartedly trust, the idea of freedom to choose and roam fades into insignificance when you see and feel the results of your practice.


Metta,
Ben