If you are in a meditation hall and your hear the bell, it's time to go and eat.

If you are not in a meditation hall and you hear the bell, it's time to go to the meditation hall.

There is a women's long stay centre on the other side of the north boundary which uses a similar bell, though it is slightly different in pitch. Except for the 4am wake-up bell, it tends to be rung about 15 mins before the hermitage bell, especially in the afternoon. It's possible to get them confused.