The Path Of Knowledge has been seen as the most important path. Many attempts were made to keep it alive and safe, and many systems were devised to do that. These can be called traditions or customs. Sometimes whole societies, countries and cultures were based on these traditions. There are hundreds of these traditions, which were derived out of the basic teachings of the path of knowledge. Each diverted gradually from purity due to cultural and social changes, and due to influence from other paths. Each great teacher also contributes their own flavor to the path, teaching style or terminology etc. Some traditions have devolved and have become totally corrupt.
It can be a matter of opinion when it comes to the matter of purity of the tradition. But it usually depends on usefulness of the tradition. If it is useful, it is good enough. Similarly, it can be debated if a particular tradition exactly follows the path of knowledge or not. Sometimes traditions mix a few paths in them. Here are some examples of traditions that show more or less influence of the path of knowledge :
And many more ...
A detailed study of such traditions shows that initially they start out as pure path of knowledge and with time they get adapted to the needs of various cultures and seekers of different kinds, and hence diverge. Once Essential Knowledge is gained, the differences in traditions disappear or become insignificant. One finds that all of them are basically teaching the same thing.