Although Śubhākarasiṃha was such a splendid person, he once experienced a sudden death. Upon regaining consciousness, however, he is said to have declared:

“Upon my death, a hell guard came to tie me with seven iron ropes, hit me hard with an iron stick, and dragged me to the palace of King Yama. Somehow I completely forgot all Buddhist scriptures said to be 80,000 in number, not remembering even one word or a phrase except the title of the Lotus Sūtra. When I recalled it, the iron ropes that tied me got loose somewhat. Breathing a sigh of relief, I recited a passage in the ‘Expedients’ chapter of the Lotus Sūtra resoundingly: ‘This triple world is all My domain, in which all the living beings are my children without exception. Although there exist many sufferings and difficulties in this world, only I, the Buddha, alone can save and protect all living beings.’ Then the seven iron ropes were broken into pieces and scattered all over. Seeing this scene, King Yama took off his crown, came down to the courtyard, and said to me, ‘This experience of death has not exhausted your entire life span.’ Thus, he sent me back to this world.”

Zemmui-shō, Treatise on Śubhākarasiṃha, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Faith and Practice, Volume 4, Page 50